Unless you’re a professional handyperson, you don’t need every tool money can buy. Who has the room? Think of this less as an everything-you-could-possibly-need tool kit and more like your curated collection of go-to tools that can cover your most common projects.
Gather your tool kit.
Here’s what you should have if you just want to cover the basics.
- Philips head screwdriver
- Flathead (or slotted) screwdriver
- Hammer
- Spackling
- Utility knife
- Pliers
- WD-40
- Tape measure
This is a small-enough collection that anyone, no matter how tiny their home, can make room for it. I promise! You can also cut down on the amount of space you need by buying multi-functional tools, like screwdrivers with multiple heads. I have and love this one, and have also been successful with IKEA’s interchangeable screwdriver, which is part of a handy (very portable!) set.
If you want to level up your tool kit, here are some other things I recommend adding.
- Cordless drill/driver with assorted bits
- Wrench
- Painter’s multitool
- 1-inch paintbrush to use for touch-ups
Create your home repair command station.
Once you have your tools, keep them together in whatever container makes the most sense for you. For years, my tool kit lived in a collapsible caddy like this one. Maybe you’d rather use a plastic storage box you can pop a lid on and stack neatly in a closet, or maybe a sturdy shower caddy-type product is more your style. It’s up to you!
Real Life of an MSW 