We come across many tool benches and garages filled with all sorts of gizmos and gadgets. However, in trying to minimize and find exactly the right tool that we need in a jiffy, it’s important to know, what’s important to keep in it? Read below for some tool ideas!

My favorite go-to tools include: a small, medium, and large Philips and flat head screw driver. I love having the mini size one too- they are great for tasks like changing out batteries in some of your favorite household items. 

An Allen wrench set is great to have on hand for furniture assembly. Buying a complete kit keeps everything in one easy to access spot when you need to tighten a desk leg or take apart furniture for moving.

Another favorite are measuring tapes. I always keep one small round retractable one, as well as a larger hard case retractable. My all time favorite measuring tape is this one. It has great features like measuring from the inside and outer edge of the tape measure body, and can hold and save multiple measurements. Having a good durable measuring tape really comes in handy when hanging artwork. 

Another great tool to keep in your tool box is a level. Here is the one we use from Home Depot that’s a compact laser level. It suctions to most wall surfaces to give you your hands back!

How are you supposed to hang up your precious artwork and decor without a hammer? A hammer is a definite necessity when it comes to planning your toolbox contents. You can pick from a variety of hammer sizes depending on how much space you have in your toolbox and the level of hammering you plan on doing.

I also recommend picking up a few small plastic containers for screws and anchors instead of keeping them in their original boxes. Those boxes typically don't hold up well, and can lead to a very messy bottom of a tool box (you know exactly what I’m referring to).

A few other primary tools include a box cutter to help remove tape and open packages, pliers to help grip, bend and cut and a wrench to both tighten and loosen fasteners. 

There are a lot of great newer gadgets that can be tremendously helpful to have alongside tools when starting a home improvement project. Here is a list of a few of our favorites: 

• a magic eraser for cleaning

• nylon ties and Velcro strips

• command strips for hanging

• A flash light (or upgrade to this handy work LED work light!)

• Goo Gone

Here’s a final tip before diving in: I recommend not holding onto the loose tools that come with furniture when you initially purchase them- they can easily become a loose mess at the bottom of the tool box.

Once you get the tools you need and have them neatly organized, you’ll see how much faster you can accomplish your projects at home!