Wondering if you have the right tools to start your DIY project?
If so, then wonder no more. These are the Basic Essentials Tools you must have inside your toolbox to help you complete your DIY home improvement project safely, effectively, beautifully all on your own, of course.
Need a change of scenery in your home but don’t wanna spend an arm and a leg to make it happen?
Then all you need are the right tools, the right plans, and the right mindset to complete the job all on your own. You don’t have to call a handyman or spend a ton of money for time, labor, and cost of materials when you have everything you already need at home to do it yourself.
I know it can sound scary if this is your first time picking up any kind of tool. But I promise, it is not as scary as we tend to make it sound inside of our own heads. In fact, I know you can because I was once in your shoes too! 😉 No worries, you can do this, I’ll show you how to do it!
Below is a list of the 50 must-have tools every homeowner needs to complete any basic DIY home improvement project.
TLDR? Grab Your Basic Tool Kit Checklist here:
1- First & Foremost Safety First
Before attempting any kind of DIY home improvement project, it does not hurt to be prepared. Although you may not plan on getting hurt, anything can happen when you using any kind of tools. Remember to keep in mind nothing is worth more than your well-being so first and foremost protect yourself: safety first.
You don’t have to put them inside your toolbox but it’s good to stash them nearby wherever you store your tools for easy access. These are the list of safety items that I recommend you keep handy for every DIY home project.
- Protective eye goggles – helps to keep your eyes protected from flying particles, dust, & allergens.
- N-95 mask – helps to filter out strong fumes, odors, & dust from entering your respiratory system.
- Work gloves – keeps your hands protected from wood splinters, cuts, & harsh chemicals.
- Waterproof work boots – keeps your feet protected from harsh weather, harsh chemicals, & harsh environments.
- Knee & elbow pads – cushioning to help support your joints & bones from prolonged periods of bending.
2- Basic Hand Tools
Now that you’ve got all of your safety gear corralled in one place, let’s move on to hand tools. Don’t let this intimidate you though. If you can spread butter on toast, then you can absolutely use these basic common hand tools.
You can do this! Here’s what you need:
- Hand Saw – metal tool used to cut wood or plastic with a back and forth motion.
- Basic Hammer – metal tool used to push nails into wood.
- Multi-head Screwdriver Set – set of metal screws and screwdrivers used to attach wood, metal, or plastic pieces together.
- Hex Allen Wrench Set & Socket Set – set of metal wrenches and sockets used to attach wood, metal, or plastic pieces together.
- Sharp Scissors/Garden Shears – sharp metal scissors used specifically for cutting cardboard, fabric, foam, grass, and other landscape materials.
- Putty Knife – metal tool used to spread putty material like wood filler, grout, paste, etc.
- Utility Knife and – small foldable metal multi tool that is handy for travel, camping, indoor/outdoor use that can fit inside your pocket.
- Clamps – tool used to hold materials in place to keep them from slipping and sliding.
- Rubber Mallet – usually used to push wooden objects inside the cavity or to closed paint cans.
- Garden Shovel – metal tool with a wooden or coated handle that is normally used for gardening or landscaping to dig dirt, soil, sand, clay etc.
- FlashLight – a battery powered cordless tool with a bright lightbulb inside that is used to infuse into a dark area.
- Leveler – a tool with liquid inside the middle that is placed on a surface and used to indicate whether or not a line of view is level or crooked.
- Rake – a garden tool used to gather leaves, twigs, or trash.
- Snow Shovel – a tool made with metal and sometimes reinforced with rubber or silicone that is used to pick up and remove snow.
- Wheelbarrow – a large container with 1 wheel that is used to carry & move heavy objects, such as dirt, soil, etc., back and forth.
- Multi-level Ladder (10-25 feet) – usually a large metal ladder with many steps that is necessary for every homeowner or diyer to use for reaching tall ceilings or out of reach areas like rooftops.
- Step Stool – a small 2-3 step ladder usually used indoors for out of reach areas like tall cabinets, appliances, or shelving.
- Plunger – a rubberized tool with a wooden handle that is used to release clogged drains and toilets.
- Heavy duty shop broom & dust pan combo – a bristled brush tool with a wooden handle and a metal or plastic tray with a handle that is used to collect dust, dirt, and debris.
- Hack saw – a double-edged metal saw with a sharp thin corrugated blade on one end and a wider blade sharp blade on the other end that is often used to cut bulkier objects like wood, pvc pipe, or metal objects.
- Extension Pole for Roller Brush – a metal pole with a twist attachment that connects to a roller brush handle that is used to reach tall ceilings and high out of reach ledges and corners.
3- Basic Power Tools:
After you’ve gathered together all of your safety gear & hand tools let’s take a look at this list of power tools that’s going to help you cut down your DIY time significantly. Not only will you be able to get the job done faster, but you will be able to save yourself lots of money in the long run without the need to spend money on the costs of labor. With the right quality-made basic power tools, you’ll be able to reuse them over time and again on several different projects during the duration of living in your current home, if needed.
- Shop Vac – a small wet/dry vacuum powered container that is usually on wheels used to collect dirt, debris, saw dust, and even liquids. It is a handy appliance to store inside your garage to help clean up vehicles or small diy wood projects.
- Weed Wacker/Trimmer/Edger – a metal tool with a plastic oscillating string at the bottom that is used to create perfectly lined edges and borders for cutting lawn and landscapes.
- Extension cord & Surge protector – an elongated electrical cord that plugs into a power adapter & power unit with an on and off switch used to power electronic devices and appliances.
- Cordless drill – a battery powered tool that is used to drill screws into wood, plastic, and metal surfaces and objects.
- Stud Finder – an electronic device with a laser pointer and a magnet embedded inside that allows the user to locate the stud behind a wall.
- Noise-Cancelling Headphones – an electronic headphones device that is also available in wireless with ear muffs that protects the user’s ears from loud construction noises that may damage the ear drums.
4-Paint & Solvents:
Hands down, nothing has a bigger impact than changing the paint color of a piece of furniture or even a wall. It is, by far, the cheapest and easiest DIY thing you can do with the biggest amount of impact you can do to change and update your space. You can pretty much count on the fact that you’re gonna have to paint that ugly, outdated piece of furniture you just picked up off the side of the road. You’re savvy enough to know a good quality piece of furniture when you see it.
No matter what shade of puke green it is to begin with, you know that a good shade of paint will remedy that problem asap. These are a few handy solvents to keep close by in addition to your favorite can of hue:
- Clear shellac/varnish/sealer- a clear sealant to be applied as the last step in your painting process to maintain its luster and shine.
- RainX (glass protector/waterproof solution)- a liquid solution that is applied to glass with a paper towel to protect the surface of the glass from dirt, debris, dust, & blurriness.
- NeverWet (waterproof spray)- a waterproof spray that is used to protect surfaces from getting wet.
- Mineral Spirits/paint thinner- a liquid substance that is used to thin out paint and prevent viscosity and dry out for smoother application.
5-Supplies:
With the following common household supplies on hand, you can make great strides in any of your DIY project quickly, affordably, & professionally too.
- Sandpaper (fine, medium, & course grit)- paper material that contains different levels of grit used to smooth out sharp wood, plastic or metal objects.
- Painter’s tape/masking tape- rolls of tape that usually comes in a variety of colored paper used to create a border between painted and unpainted surfaces.
- Toolbox/ToolChest/Tool Organizer- a metal, plastic, or even wooden box or container used to hold several tools.
- Caulk- a substance that is made of acrylic, silicone, or latex that is used to waterproof and seal open gaps that are found in baths, kitchens, & common household & building structures.
- Spackle/Wood filler- a powdered paste material that is used to repair drywall and wood.
- Proper Paint & Primer- comes in several different colors, shades, and texture to change the look and feel of a room or object.
- Empty Bucket/Pail/Paint Tray w/handle- a metal or plastic container used to hold liquids.
- Assorted Paint Brushes (detail, angled trim, roller, sponges)- tools used to spread and apply paint, creams, gels, & liquids to different surfaces.
- Brass & Wire Cleaning Tool for Paint Brush- a wire brush tool with thin tines used to scrape paint off of a paint brush to prolong it’s usage.
- Utility Brushes- heavy duty tools with construction grade plastic bristles used to scrub and clean hard surfaces to loosen up dirt and stains.
- Rubber Bands- loops made from rubber to temporarily hold loose objects in place.
- Plastic Sheeting/Drop Cloth- long plastic or linen-like material used to cover furniture, floors, and other surfaces from paint splatter during the painting process.
- Zip Ties or Velcro Strips- plastic strips and hook bristles used to bind together loose materials like electronic cord cables.
- Bungee Cords- a stretchy rope made from spandex material with metal hooks at the end used to temporarily secure heavy objects like furniture inside of a moving truck.
- Duct Tape- an extremely durable, flexible, and sticky adhesive tape that is made of a silver cloth-like polyethylene resin material that is waterproof.
- Measuring Tape- most commonly used tool for diy, a small, thin, flexible, retractable metal tape with marked units of measure that shows the length, width, heighth, & depths of objects.
- Wall Anchors- plastic screw pockets that are inserted into drywall to help expand the area of tension to distribute the weight of the wall hanging object more evenly for a more secure bond to the wall.
- Assortment of Nails/Screws- metal spikes and metal objects with threads that is used to connect and secure objects together.
Sick of looking at your ugly house? Let’s Fix that!
In SUMMARY—
Armed with these basic must-have DIY tools, a plethora of online tutorials, & a can-do attitude, you will be able to DIY & transform your space from bleh to ooh la la! Don’t let the number things you need intimidate you from starting your DIY home improvement project. Chances are highly likely that these are the things that you already have in your stash at home already, so you are well on your way and well-prepped to handle any DIY situation that comes up.
Whether it be a loose nut or a leaky sink faucet, you will be prepared to handle it all on your own. 😉
*For More Helpful Resources Related To This Post, Check Out These Articles:
- 25+ Unexpected Places To Find Inspo for Your DIY Home Improvement Project
- Houzz.com
- HGTV.com
- DIYnetwork.com
Create your dream home without going house poor. Find out how to do it like the Pros for less!
PIN THIS IMAGE:
