11 Essential Tools for the Ultimate Home Tool Kit

What should your home tool kit have in it? Find out the essential tools you need to have to hand

It's important to have an essential tool kit in your home, whether you're a DIY expert or not. Having everything you need easily accessible, whether it's in a toolbox, storage tub or tool belt, means you can measure up, hang a picture and deal with common home emergencies without needing to search through the garage or shed. For the less used tools, you can always keep them tucked away in the garden shed or garage. Our guide to assembling a basic yet comprehensive tool kit can help you with any project or emergency you may encounter.

Essential Tools for Your Home Tool Kit

Specialising in upcycled furniture? Your toolkit needs to have the essentials, like sandpaper and a variety of paintbrushes, for achieving that distressed look.

1. Tape measure

Shopping for furniture, curtains, blinds, or any other household items, having a metal tape measure should be at the top of your list of must-have tools. The accuracy of metal is greater than fabric and carrying a smaller version around with you for when you shop is ideal. When looking for one, we suggest that you pick a tape measure that is at least 2.5 cm wide and 25 meters long, so it won't collapse when you extend it beyond one meter. Laser measuring devices are also available, which are great for larger measurements, but the classic metal tape is a necessity for every home.

 

2. Screwdrivers & hex keys

When assembling or taking apart furniture, your toolkit should at least have two screwdrivers: a crosshead (or Phillips) and a flathead. It is wise to keep a medium-sized head in the toolkit and store other sizes in the shed. Mini screwdrivers, commonly found in Christmas crackers, are perfect for intricate jobs. Alternatively, you can invest in a screwdriver with interchangeable tips for when space is limited. A set of hex (or allen) keys are required for tightening screws and bolts with hexagonal sockets into their heads. If you are building flatpack furniture, you will likely need an L- or S-shaped hex key of 4mm for Ikea products.

3. Pilers & cutters

Make sure your home toolbox is well-equipped with pliers - 8 inches of long-nosed pliers will be your go-to pair, but you should also have 10-inch grooved ones for pulling nails or staples. Additionally, you'll need a set of smaller pincers for repairing metal jewellery. Wire cutters can be used for cable ties, art projects, and snipping electrical cables. For example, they're great for rewiring plugs.

4. Spirit level

A gallery wall fanatics' essential tool is a good-quality spirit level. Look for a relatively long model that isn't too cumbersome, as well as a compact bubble one for quick and easy level checks. If your DIY job is more extensive, a laser level is a great choice as it creates level lines right on your wall.

5. Adjustable wrench

When you need to quickly respond to a plumbing issue, a wrench is a must-have for loosening and tightening pipes. It also offers extra torque if necessary. If there's room, a socket set should also be part of your collection of tools.

6. Hammer

To tackle the typical do-it-yourself tasks in and around your house, a claw-style hammer is an ideal tool. Not only is it helpful for pounding nails, but it can also be used to extract them, as well as for levering pieces of wood. This comes in especially handy when you are looking to put your creative touch on some pallet projects. A hammer with a weight of 16 ounces is a great starting point for efficient use.

7. Retractable blade knife

Keeping a retractable knife or Stanley knife in your home toolkit is a necessity. Not only can it cut through most household materials, but the design of some models allows you to store spare blades in the handle for convenience.

8. Drill/driver

     

If you are looking to build a headboard or shelf, having an electric drill/driver as one of your home essentials is a must. Cordless drills give you the added freedom of not being tethered by a cable. Just be sure to regularly charge the battery when not in use so it does not go idle for extended periods.

9. Nails, screws nuts & bolts

A selection of different sizes is ideal for containment within a lid-topped container. You should have an array of nails, screws, nuts, bolts, washers, and even 3M Command strips in varying lengths prepared for attaching picture frames.

10. Filler & putty knife

To take care of small repairs and holes, opt for a tub of multi-surface filler and a putty knife - either metal or plastic.

11. Ruler, pencil & glue

Measuring up to 30cm, a metal ruler can be used as a straight edge when cutting materials with a utility knife. Moreover, having a pencil (or even a marker pen) ready to go will save time. Additionally, masking and gaffer tape, furniture-gripping pads, and tubes of glue such as superglue, PVA, and wood glue are important. Yet, once opened, they have a short shelf life. Other necessary items are sticky-label remover (or acetone) and a soft cloth.

What’s the best way to store tools?

It's important to have quick access to all of the essentials in your home tool kit. For this, an optimal solution would be a tool bag with different pockets so that each tool can be retrieved easily. All smaller components of the kit should be contained in a lid-sealed box, if the box is clear, you'll be able to spot which tool you need with ease. It is important to ensure that these items are kept in an area which is out of reach for children.

Tools such as screwdrivers and pliers should be placed point-down, in either a tool bag or a heavy-duty fabric tool roll. Finally, always make sure to store your tools away neatly after use, ready for your next project.