Guides · Tools
The starter tool kit for a first home or apartment
Eighteen tools cover most small jobs: hanging shelves, assembling furniture, tightening a loose hinge, patching a nail hole. Buy them once, keep them in one box, and add specialist tools only when a job needs them.
- Covers
- Most small jobs
- Skill
- None needed
- Storage
- One tool box
Start with what you will actually use
A pre-packed 200-piece kit looks like good value, but most of the pieces are small sockets and bits you will never touch, and the core tools are often the weakest part. You get more for the same money by buying the few tools below on their own.
If you rent, the same list applies. You will mostly use it for furniture, shelves and small fixes your lease allows.
The kit
Measure and mark
- Tape measure, 25 ft (7.5 m)Long enough for a whole room. Look for both inches and centimetres if you shop for furniture online.
- Level, 24 inKeeps shelves and frames straight. A short torpedo level fits in tight spots too.
- Stud finderFinds the wood or metal studs behind drywall, so heavy things are screwed into something solid.
- PencilsMark holes before you drill. Pencil wipes off paint; marker does not.
Drill and fasten
- Cordless drill/driverThe tool you will use most. A 12 V model is light and enough for furniture and shelves; 18–20 V handles masonry bits and bigger screws.
- Drill and driver bit setWood and metal drill bits from small to about 3/8 in, plus Phillips, flat, square (Robertson) and hex driver bits.
- Multi-bit screwdriverFor small screws on outlets, hinges and battery covers, where a drill is too much.
- Claw hammer, 16 ozPicture nails, tapping parts together, pulling out old nails.
- Wall anchor assortmentPlastic and self-drilling anchors for drywall where there is no stud. Check the weight rating on the pack.
Grip, cut and adjust
- Adjustable wrench, 8 inNuts on furniture, faucet supply lines and shower heads.
- Slip-joint and needle-nose pliersGripping, bending and pulling out stuck things.
- Utility knife with spare bladesBoxes, caulk, carpet and drywall. A dull blade slips, so change it often.
- Hex key setFlat-pack furniture uses them everywhere, and the one in the box always goes missing.
Patch and paint
- Putty knives, 1½ in and 6 inFill nail holes and spread joint compound. See how to patch drywall.
- Lightweight spackleFills small holes in a minute. Most landlords expect nail holes filled when you move out.
- Painter's tapeClean edges when you paint, and a quick way to mark where a shelf or frame will go.
Stay safe
- Safety glasses and work glovesFor drilling overhead, cutting, and anything that throws dust.
- Non-contact voltage testerConfirms a wire is off after you switch off the breaker, before you touch a light fixture or outlet.
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What to skip for now
- Large tool sets in a case. Buy the core tools above on their own.
- Corded power tools. A cordless drill does the same small jobs without an extension cord.
- Specialist tools. Basin wrenches, tile cutters and pipe cutters are worth buying when a job needs them. Many stores also rent them.
Know when to call a pro. Moving or adding wiring, gas lines, and changes to pipes inside walls usually need a licensed trade, and in many places a permit. Swapping a faucet or a light fixture on the same connection is a common do-it-yourself job; check your local rules if you are not sure.
Plan the room before you pick up the drill
Photograph a room, add one measurement and pick a style. RoomTag redesigns it with furniture sized to your floor, so you know what fits before you hang or buy anything.
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