No [...]]]> Perhaps you’ve just started getting back into working out and want to dedicate space in your home to your new endeavor. Maybe you find your current gym’s hours inconvenient. Or perhaps, you would prefer not to have to wait for your turn on the elliptical on busy days at your workout facility.

No matter the reason for adding one to your house, a home gym is a great way to get you motivated to exercise and to help you meet your fitness goals. But where do you begin when planning to add one?

Here are three tips to help get you started:

Pick your space. When choosing a room for your home gym, it’s best to choose a space that is out of the way, with plenty of room to store your equipment and to move around as you’re exercising. In addition, it’s helpful if this room is on a lower level, so that any noise from your workouts won’t reverberate through the home.

Choose your workout equipment. Outfit your gym with the right equipment for working up a sweat. Get your cardio on with a treadmill, stationary bike or elliptical trainer, along with old-school equipment like a jump rope. Work on your strength training with free weights or a versatile weight machine, along with medicine balls and a stability ball. Create a comfortable place for working on stretching and flexibility by including a yoga mat or other padded mat.

Choose equipment that is tailored to your fitness preferences, while giving yourself the flexibility to add or change equipment as your fitness needs and interests evolve in the future.

Select your entertainment. Lifting weights, running on the treadmill or riding a stationary bike are all great opportunities to catch up on your favorite TV shows or the latest audiobook you’ve been itching to get started. Consider adding a sound system or a TV to your home gym. (These items can also come in handy for those who use exercise videos or get hyped up during their workouts by listening to their favorite music.)

In addition, for long workouts on the elliptical or a recumbent bike, be sure to have the latest issues of your favorite magazines or a copy of a new book on hand.

Got more cool ideas for a home gym? Share them with us on our Twitter and Facebook pages!

While some are fans of the smoky flavor charcoal provides, others are big proponents of the heat control to be had with a gas grill. Still, others have the attitude that [...]]]> Among seasoned grillers and rookies alike, one of the most hotly debated and frequently discussed topics is the matchup between charcoal and gas grills.

While some are fans of the smoky flavor charcoal provides, others are big proponents of the heat control to be had with a gas grill. Still, others have the attitude that each grill has its own time and place, and perhaps they even own one of each for a variety of occasions.

Let’s take a look at the attributes of each:

Gas Grill

Benefits

• Starts up quickly and simply
• Provides even, consistent heating that is easily controlled
• Requires infrequent “re-fueling”
• Cleans up much easier than a charcoal grill

Charcoal Grill

Benefits

• Carries a lower price point than gas grills
• Assembles with relative ease
• Infuses grilled foods with a rich, smoky flavor
• Gets hotter than most gas grills, which makes for better searing

So tell us: Which kind of grill rules your roost? Head on over to the DirectBuy Facebook page to let us know!

To streamline the furnishing process, get organized by following these tips:

Focus on functional. Before you worry about which artwork to hang on the walls or which decorative soaps to place in your bathroom, make sure you’ve [...]]]> Purchasing a beach vacation home is incredibly exciting; furnishing that second home, however, can be a bit intimidating.

To streamline the furnishing process, get organized by following these tips:

Focus on functional. Before you worry about which artwork to hang on the walls or which decorative soaps to place in your bathroom, make sure you’ve got your functional bases covered. Some of the questions you should be asking yourself include:

• Are there enough dedicated places to hang up wet, sandy beach towels?
• Do I have enough drinkware and dinnerware to accommodate guests?
• Have I purchased enough towels and other linens that are sturdy enough to stand up to many washings?
• Are there enough ceiling fans in the home to get air circulating throughout the home?
• Have I got a place outdoors to hose off or a good space near an entry for storing sandy shoes?
• Do I need more seating?
• Is my kitchen stocked with necessary cookware?
• Is my pantry stocked with adequate non-perishables?
• Have I got enough bug spray, sunscreen, aloe vera, first aid supplies, etc. on hand?
• Do I have enough storage space for all patio furniture and accessories?

After you’ve got the essentials out of the way, make the space more pleasant with things like ambient lighting or an outdoor sound system.

Add beachy accents. Once you’ve laid the groundwork, add nautical, beachy or tropical accent pieces to your home to tie together the functional basics and complete the look of your home.

For more ideas and design inspiration, be sure to visit the DirectBuy Pinterest page, as well as scheduling a visit at your local DirectBuy showroom today!

“We couldn’t believe it!” Pam Thomas said. “My husband and I didn’t think it was real until we showed up to the showroom, and everyone was congratulating us and [...]]]> Last month, Eric and Pam Thomas of DirectBuy Edison were announced the winners of DirectBuy’s Home Makeover Giveaway Contest! They were awarded $50,000 toward DirectBuy products.

“We couldn’t believe it!” Pam Thomas said. “My husband and I didn’t think it was real until we showed up to the showroom, and everyone was congratulating us and handed us a giant check in our name.”

Pam and Eric are new homeowners in Sweetwater, N.J., and are looking into making the home their own. One of the personal touches they plan on adding in time is a movie room for the whole family to enjoy.

The first purchase the Thomas family plans on making, however, is new kitchen countertops. They look forward to doing a full kitchen remodel that includes new flooring and top-of-the-line appliances.

DirectBuy has allowed the members of the Thomas family to do things to their home that they didn’t think would be possible for another 15 years.

“We weren’t planning on doing renovations to our home until our daughter was out of college,” Pam said.

“We were adamant about joining DirectBuy at first, but DirectBuy has allowed us to choose exactly what we want for the best prices out there,” Pam said. “It was definitely worth it!”

Over time, though, the cost of spa visits can really add up.

What if, instead of dropping all that cash on visits to the spa, you invested in a spa of your very own in your home?

Due to a chandelier’s out-of-the-way location and large number of components, it can be a bit more of [...]]]> A chandelier can be a great focal point in your home and can add sparkle, shine and ambience to any living room, dining room, foyer or hallway … that is, if the chandelier is clean.

Due to a chandelier’s out-of-the-way location and large number of components, it can be a bit more of a challenge to clean than, say, simply vacuuming a rug. Here are a few tips to help your next chandelier cleaning go quickly and smoothly:

Turn off the chandelier. Before you can do anything else, you must turn off the chandelier and let its components — light bulbs, shades, crystals, etc. — cool down completely. Tape the switch down if you’re worried about someone in the home accidentally flipping it on as you’re working.

Gather cleaning supplies. The supplies you’ll need include a ladder, a mild glass cleaner, white gloves/soft cloths and a drop cloth (optional).

Set up under the chandelier. Spread out the drop cloth if you plan on using one. (This will expedite cleanup. Any dust and/or debris that falls from the chandelier will be collected on the drop cloth. If, however, you aren’t using a drop cloth, plan on sweeping or vacuuming the area below the chandelier after you finish cleaning the fixture.)

Get your ladder set. Make sure it is completely stable.

Start polishing! Climb the ladder and steady yourself. Then, beginning at the top of the fixture and working your way downward, hand-polish all surfaces of the chandelier with the glass cleaner and your white gloves/soft cloths. Avoid spraying the cleaner directly onto the lighting fixture; instead, dampen your cleaning cloths with the cleaning solution to polish. Be sure to wipe surfaces completely dry, so as to avoid streaks.

Clean up. Once you’ve finished cleaning the chandelier, stow away your ladder, put away cleaning supplies and roll up the drop cloth or vacuum the area below the chandelier.

Note: In the case that the owner’s manual for your chandelier provides explicit cleaning instructors, follow those directions when cleaning your lighting fixture.

In between cleanings, be sure to dust the lighting fixture frequently to keep it looking bright and clean.

For the latest great tips, tricks and ideas for your home — from decorating to cleaning to remodeling to budgeting — be sure to “Like” DirectBuy’s Facebook page.