Maybe you are moving into your first apartment or your first house; whatever your situation, one of the most essential items you’ll find yourself going to over and over again is a toolbox.
Hanging pictures, assembling furniture, and putting up window curtains all require tools, so even if you don’t consider yourself handy, these basics will help you through most situations.
A general rule of thumb: Buy the best you can afford. Skimping on quality will only lead to additional replacement purchases in the future.
The Essentials:
- A good claw hammer. One that is heavy enough to get the job done, but comfortable for you to handle. The “claw” will be a saving grace when you hit those nails sideways.
- Several sizes of flat-head and Phillips screwdrivers. A cordless screwdriver and set with a few interchangeable driver heads can save your wrist some anguish. Just remember to keep your cordless charged.
- Needle-nose, slip-joint, vise-grip and wire cutting pliers.
- A medium size adjustable wrench or combination wrench.
- A ratchet set with assorted sockets.
- A utility knife that has replaceable blades.
- A level. It takes the guesswork out of hanging things straight and is compact to store easily.
- A retractable metal tape measure, preferably one that locks.
- A set of Allen wrenches. These unassuming looking tools do wonders when required.
- An assortment of screws, nails, and wall anchors.
- Electrical, masking, and duct tape.
- Assorted wire ties to keep your electronic wiring at bay.
- A toolbox! A standard sturdy one should do the trick. As tempted as you may be to throw everything in a drawer, organization really is the key and will take the frustration out of searching and digging for something when you need it immediately. Even better, if it has a removable tray.
If you already have the basics covered and are looking to expand your supplies a bit more, it’s also a good idea to have the following tools on hand:
- A chisel.
- A small handsaw.
- A stud finder.
- A cordless drill. You’ll be surprised how often you go to this simple and easy tool.
- Safety googles — especially if you’re springing for that cordless drill.
- A box of disposable latex gloves. These protect your hands when using any kind of glue or paste.
- A flashlight. There should already be several in your home for emergencies, however it’s good to have a small one in your toolbox in case you are working on something in a poorly lighted area — it will be in arm’s reach.
Even if you don’t consider yourself a DIYer, having some basic tools stored in one location will help make settling into your new home a little less stressful.