August 3rd, 2021 by Sarah Miles

Whether you are setting up a home for the first time, or just want to make sure you have all the DIY essentials you need, this is your guide to the basic tools every household should have. While some tools are more ‘wait and see if you need them’ type items, these absolute necessities should be found in all homes, ready for everything from tightening something up to more ambitious home renovation projects.

Hammer

“If I had a hammer…” or so the famous song goes. A hammer is a vital tool for everything from putting pictures up to laying carpets to carpentry projects. There is a variety of types of hammers you can buy but the most general-purpose one is a claw hammer that has a striking surface on one side and a claw for pulling nails out on the other.

Tape Measure

Have you ever tried to estimate the measurement of something by eye? It’s impossible to ever do this accurately and precise measurements are absolutely vital for most DIY projects; just try installing some decking without one! They’re even useful for small tasks like seeing whether you can fit a sofa through your front door before you order it!

Spirit Level

Ever tried to hang a picture straight or put up a shelf by eye? Just as with measurements, it’s almost impossible to do and can be hard to get an accurate impression when other things such as ceilings and door frames may not be straight themselves. Because of this, you need a spirit level.

Wrench

A wrench is used for tightening/loosening nuts and bolts. You do have a couple of options here for this type of job though: an adjustable wrench or a spanner set. An adjustable wrench is just as it sounds: a wrench with a moveable jaw that can be adjusted for whatever size of nut you’re working on. A spanner is size-specific, so these come as a set with an individual tool for each size. A wrench is great for having one item that works on multiple nuts (and is easier to fit in your tool bag) but spanners can be easier for working in tight spaces.

MYLEK DIY 90 Piece DIY Home Kit and Cordless Drill

Price: £59.99

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Screwdrivers

Even the most inadept DIYer can usually wield a screwdriver with confidence. If you have screws in your home, you need screwdrivers to be able to tighten or remove them and pretty much all flat pack furniture requires at least one. A good set of screwdrivers with a range of flat and Phillips heads will see you through a range of jobs.

Allen Keys

Allen keys are similar to screwdrivers but are designed for hexagonal head screws. These are common in self-assembly furniture, which will most likely include one in the pack. However, having your own set can give you options with longer handles and can be a lifesaver when you come to take it apart again in the future and the original Allen key is long lost.

Staple Gun

A staple gun is useful for crafting projects, such as reupholstering furniture, or DIY jobs like laying underlay/carpet, fitting insulation, or generally securing objects to wood, plaster, or plastic.

Cordless Drill

MYLEK DIY 130 Piece DIY Home Kit and Cordless Drill

Price: £55.00

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Many novice DIYers are a bit nervous about using an electric drill but they needn’t be. Drills are quite easy to master – especially if you buy an appropriate one for your skill level – and can make light work of otherwise labour intensive jobs. For example, most drills have screwdriver head bits so you can use them as an electric screwdriver which will save your hands and your knees when building up flat-pack furniture. A cordless model means you can move around easily and is also great for outdoor projects.

They’re also not expensive either, in fact, a ‘starter set’ drill, such as this one, comes complete with a 90 piece tool kit, which includes many of the items listed here, for just £35.99. Great if you are just setting yourself up.