You don’t want to be halfway through assembling a bookshelf and realize you don’t have a screwdriver. A dripping faucet, loose cabinet handle, crooked picture frame, or stubborn package can turn into a much bigger hassle if you don’t have a few basic tools nearby.
The good news is that you don’t need a workshop full of professional equipment. A small collection of dependable tools can handle most of the everyday repairs and projects that come up around the house.
Here are 10 tools worth keeping in your home, whether you’re a seasoned DIYer or someone who only reaches for a toolbox when something breaks.
Hammer
A hammer is one of those tools that seems basic until you suddenly need one. A claw hammer is a great choice for a household toolbox because the flat end can drive nails, while the claw can pull them back out.
You can use it to hang picture frames, put together certain projects, remove old nails, or gently tap a piece into place. Just be careful around finished surfaces, since an accidental swing can leave a dent or mark.
If you’re working on small repairs around the house, these quick fixes may also come in handy.
Screwdriver Set
Loose cabinet handles, outlet covers, toys, furniture, and appliances can all call for a screwdriver.
A basic set should include both Phillips-head and flat-head screwdrivers in several sizes. If you don’t want a drawer full of individual tools, a multi-bit screwdriver with interchangeable heads takes up much less space.
It’s one of those tools you’ll probably reach for several times a year, even if you’re not someone who regularly tackles DIY projects.
Measuring Tape
A measuring tape can save you from making some very expensive or annoying mistakes.
Before buying a sofa, measure the doorway. Before hanging curtains, measure the window. Before putting shelves on a wall, measure the available space.
A 16-foot tape measure is plenty for most household jobs, while a longer one can be useful if you regularly work on larger projects. Keep it somewhere easy to grab rather than buried at the bottom of a toolbox.
Level
There’s a big difference between a picture that’s slightly crooked and one that’s perfectly straight. A level makes it much easier to get shelves, artwork, curtain rods, and other wall-mounted items lined up properly.
A small bubble level is inexpensive and doesn’t need batteries or an app. Keep one with your other basic tools, and you’ll have an easy way to check whether something is actually straight before drilling more holes into the wall.
Utility Knife
A utility knife is useful for far more than opening cardboard boxes.
You can use one to cut through packaging, trim wallpaper, slice carpet, remove old caulk, or handle other jobs that call for a controlled cut. Replace dull blades rather than forcing a worn one through a material.
Keep extra blades stored safely and always close or retract the knife when you’re finished using it.
Cordless Drill
A cordless drill can make many household projects much faster. It can drive screws, drill pilot holes, assemble furniture, and help with projects such as mounting shelves or installing hardware.
A drill with a basic assortment of bits gives you plenty to work with. You don’t need the most expensive model for occasional household jobs. Look for one that’s comfortable to hold and has enough battery life for the projects you normally tackle.
If you plan to drill into masonry, tile, or other tougher materials, make sure you have the right bit for the job rather than using a standard bit.
Adjustable Wrench
An adjustable wrench takes up very little space and can handle a surprisingly wide range of nuts and bolts.
It’s especially useful for simple plumbing jobs, such as tightening a connection beneath a sink or working on a faucet. It can also come in handy during furniture assembly and other repairs that involve different fastener sizes.
Taleb Kasimy also recommends an adjustable wrench as a useful household tool because you can change the jaw width rather than keeping multiple fixed-size wrenches on hand.
Related: 15 Cleaning Tools That Make Household Chores Less Stressful
Pliers
Pliers are the tool you reach for when you need a firm grip on something small, awkward, or difficult to hold.
They can help with bending or twisting wire, pulling out small nails, gripping hardware, and handling objects that are too difficult to grab with your fingers.
A pair of needle-nose pliers is especially useful for small spaces and detailed work. North Shore Crafts explains why their narrow, tapered jaws are useful for jobs that require more precise handling.
For a basic toolbox, regular slip-joint pliers plus a pair of needle-nose pliers will cover plenty of everyday tasks.
Flashlight
A flashlight might sit untouched for months, then become the most useful thing in your house during a power outage.
It’s also handy for checking under sinks, looking behind appliances, finding dropped items under furniture, or inspecting dark areas around the home.
An LED flashlight is a good household choice because LED bulbs are long-lasting and provide plenty of light. Keep fresh batteries nearby if your flashlight uses disposable batteries, or keep a rechargeable model charged.
Most of all, store it somewhere you can easily find it in the dark.
Duct Tape
Duct tape has earned its reputation as a temporary fix for countless household problems.
It can hold a cracked item together, patch a damaged hose for a short time, bundle loose cords, seal a box, or help keep something in place until you can make a proper repair. It’s also useful for labeling storage containers and moving boxes.
Duct tape isn’t a substitute for a permanent repair, especially for plumbing, electrical, or structural problems. Still, having a roll nearby can save you plenty of frustration when something breaks unexpectedly.
A basic home toolbox doesn’t have to take up an entire closet. With a hammer, screwdrivers, measuring tape, level, utility knife, cordless drill, adjustable wrench, pliers, flashlight, and duct tape, you’ll have a solid starting point for many everyday jobs.
You can add more specialized tools as your needs grow. For now, these basics can help you handle loose screws, crooked shelves, small repairs, furniture assembly, and plenty of other little problems that tend to show up around the house.
