The Must Have Tools

You can buy so many ready to go tool sets for the home, many in handy storage boxes, you can even get novelty ones like Thor's hammer or everything pink! You don't need every tool under the sun, but the essentials are as follow:

Hammer - nothing special, just a normal hammer for, well, hammering. Nails, wall plugs or even to tap a joint or flooring together.

Screwdrivers - a selection of screwdrivers is essential, both flat head and phillips and in different sizes. It is crazy how often you will use them. From fixing a pair of glasses to removing a door, they are the most used tool. If you want to save space, there are sets you can buy with one handle and a selection of bits to slot in the end. Isla always has to hold her stubby flat head screwdriver when we're building, she specifically goes and gets it out the drawer, then screams if I need to use it.

Allen keys - Those odd L shaped bars that come with a lot of furniture, those are Allen keys. Very annoying when you don't have the correct size and surprisingly easy to loose. They are great for flat pack furniture, some door handles or plumbing need them to fix it in place. Not used everyday but definitely needed more than you realise.

Tape measure - This one is a MUST to me. Need to know how big a sofa you can buy, measure the space. Need to order a blind, whip out the trusty tape measure and you're good to go. Needing to cut a shelf to fit an alcove, measure the width and cut your wood! I have multiple kept around the house and workshop so one is always handy. And the Noah is obsessed with them.

Wrench and spanners - For bolts and nuts, spanners and wrenches are great. There are so many different types, sizes and styles but a simple adjustable wrench would do for a home tool kit. Perfect for tightening the nut on a drawer handle or tightening up some metal furniture.

Spirit level - Need to make sure that shelf is level, Bob the spirit level on and adjust as needed. Also great for hanging pictures, leveling TVs and making sure those curtain rails are straight. You won't need a long one 20cm is the longest you would need to minor DIY.

Pliers and Snips - For when you need that extra grip on a small or hard to hold object, pliers are great. They come in needle nose and flat and are incredibly versatile. Snips are great for cutting wires and metal but most pliers have a cutting section so unless you are specifically cutting a lot, pliers will do you.

Socket set - a socket set is again one of the tools you won't use very often but makes some jobs far easier. Sockets slip over nuts and hold it tight. Once attached to a handle or drill, it easily and quickly undoes or tightens a nut without having to take off a spanner and reseat it. Especially useful in situations where the nut or bolt is difficult to reach as you can put the socket on an extension and can turn the nut or bolt with very little clearance around.

Knife - A pocket knife or utility knife is incredibly useful. There are so many different types and styles it is a personal choice which is best for you. Personally I like a retractable folding knife that can safely be kept in my pocket without worry I'm going to accidentally stab myself. Great for opening packaging, trimming, marking and scraping, utility knives are so versatile.

Saw - A hacksaw for cutting metal and plastic and a wood saw would be ideal. You can't cut a metal curtain rails with a wood saw or a shelf with a hacksaw. You need the right tool for the right job. It's surprisingly how often you need to trim a metal pole down to size, just off the top of my head, roller blinds, wardrobe rails, curtain rails, the list can go on. You can buy junior hacksaws which are smaller versions and would save space.

Drill and drill bits - personally I would get a cordless combi drill, but as long as it will drill a hole in wood and masonry, you're set. Putting up a mirror or fixing furniture to the wall, drills are essential and having one handy can make jobs much faster and less stressful.

That is my must haves. There are so any more tools out there but for a household box, that would do you nicely. The aim it to have common used tools to hand and easy to access. If you have an emergency like your taps are leaking knowing your flat headed screwdriver is easy to grab to shut the water off makes a lot less mess. I also find I'm more likely to do a quick job of the tools I need are to hand. For instance, changing the batteries in one of the kids toys. If I know I can grab the screwdriver, change the batteries and tidy up in under 5 minutes I will do it. If I have to spend 10 minutes fumbling around in a shed looking for the screwdriver in the cold, the toy goes on the shelf to be dealt with "when I next go out there".

There are heaps of choices for ready made tool sets, or if you want, make your own. Having the basics easily accessible really does make a difference.