To bring your interior design vision to life yourself, you’ll need a trusty set of tools. There are hundreds of types of hand and power tools out there so sorting through your options is no easy feat. Good news: we’ve done the research and have you covered!
The best approach to prepare for as many projects as possible is to build a set of the most commonly required tools for the widest range of projects! Also, it also helps to buy quality tools that are multi-purpose so you can do more with less.
Below, you’ll find your fundamental list of tools that you should have at home to be prepared for infinite DIY projects.
A 16oz claw hammer
One high-quality, full size hammer will be your sidekick to endless projects. Invest in a carbon steel, one-piece forged hammer with comfortable grip.
A multi-bit screwdriver
Snag an interchangeable screwdriver, like a 6-in-1 version that gives you options. Look for at least two Phillip’s head sizes, two flat head sizes, and ideally a nut driver as well.
A 25-foot tape measure
This will soon be your most-used tool! Make sure to have a full-size tape measure, with at least 25-feet of tape and both inch and centimeter measurements. Grab one that locks and has a hands-free clip for ease of use.
A 12-inch level with horizontal, vertical, and 45 degree readings
A foot-long level will give you better readings than a mini one and is still compact enough to keep in your toolbox. Make sure the level you choose has three different vials that help you assess whether something is level horizontally, vertically, and also at a 45 degree angle.
A 4-Plier Set Pliers
Pliers are generalists that basically help you grip better, turn harder, and manipulate objects during any number of common DIY projects. Having the right set is crucial for preparedness. You should have:
Tongue and groove pliers (10 inches) - these adjustable pliers have the widest range and can help you grip very large objects.
Needle nose pliers (8 inches) - these have ultra-skinny jaws and are precision pliers for getting into small places, twisting, and turning.
Slip joint pliers (8 inches) - These two-point adjustable pliers have slightly serrated jaws for better gripping, crimping, and turning things like nuts and bolts.
Diagonal cutting pliers (7 inches) - These are like having extra strong scissors on hand for cutting metal, wire, and other hard materials.
A small & large adjustable wrench
You’ll cover the widest range of possible uses with two wrenches in your set: one 6 inches long and the other 10 inches. Choose a heavy-duty set made of chromium-vanadium steel that have adjustable gears in both centimeters and inches. You will use these separately to turn and tighten or together!
A utility knife
Snag a utility knife that auto-locks while in use and retracts when not in use for any cutting work you’ll need to do.
Hex wrench set
Having your own set of hex wrenches in SAE measurements and metric sizes will save you the headache of locating the random single size versions that sometimes come with things like prefab furniture. They have lots of uses in electronics and bike and auto repair, and more!
A 12-18 volt power drill
You can get away without this for many projects, but having a power drill can make your life a lot easier and is sometimes required. Look for a cordless drill that has 12-18 volts - for most home projects you don’t need more than this. Skip the ultra costly professional drills and snag one under $150.
Safety glasses
While not technically a tool, these are crucial to wear while doing any DIY project to protect your eyes from debris and dust.
With a fundamental set like the above, you will be pretty much covered for all basic DIY projects and even advanced ones too!
