From tightening loose screws and fixing wobbly chair legs to putting up shelves or hanging a photo, there are always odd jobs around the house that need to be taken care of.

But you don’t always want to hire a handyman or get your friend around to help you out; sometimes, you just want to be able to tackle the job yourself and move on to the next task.

In order to do this, you need to make sure that you have at least the very basic tools to get the job done successfully.

So, if your toolbox is looking a little tired or sparse right now, you might be considering a shopping spree (for new tools, of course). If this is the case, we’ve got just what you need.

Below, we’ve put together a list of 10 essential tools that every home should have.

1. Screwdriver set

A good screwdriver set can be useful for any number of things. From simply prizing open a tin of paint with a flat head to removing screws from remotes, toys, laptops, etc., with a Philips screwdriver, this is a must-have for any toolbox.

And these don’t have to be expensive or fancy; there are plenty of great sets out there for you to choose from.

2. Tape measure

Do you need to measure up a room for a carpet? Check the length your new curtains need to be? Or just determine if you’ve got enough space to add a new piece of furniture?

Well, whatever it is you need to measure, having a tape measure in your toolbox is the key to getting this done quickly and accurately, leaving no room for guessing or errors.

3. Spirit level

When you’re doing a bit of DIY, you might not be concerned with making the job look 100% professional, but this doesn’t mean you don’t want it to look good.

Whether you’re putting up a shelf, hanging a painting or just generally trying to determine if something is straight, having a spirit level handy can give you the best indication.

This can stop you from installing crooked shelves and can make sure that your pictures all hang beautifully level. You can even use it to help you when you need to sketch straight lines, for example, when putting screws or nails in the wall for any reason.

So it pays to have one around, even if it’s just a small one.

4. Allen key set

As well as screwdrivers, it is also a good idea to have a set of different sized Allen keys around the house. These are often required to assemble flat-pack furniture or even for tasks such as loosening or tightening the seat on your bike.

Getting a set of varying size Allen keys means you should always have the right size key for the job, as these tend to differ depending on what you’re doing.

5. Claw hammer

Whether you’re putting nails in or taking them out, a claw hammer should be your tool of choice. Plus, it’s ideal for tapping things gently into place and even acting as a crowbar when needed. The humble claw hammer is a very versatile and multifunctional tool and one which you should definitely have in your toolbox.

Our advice; when buying a hammer of any kind, try to avoid the ones with wooden handles. They might look cool, but these often don’t last as long and break much easier. So instead, choose one with a longer-lasting synthetic handle.

6. Pliers

Pliers can lend a helping hand when you need to get an extra grip on something. For example, if you’re trying to tighten or loosen nuts on furniture or a bike.

They can also be used to bend or shape smaller bits of metal, as well as cutting and stripping wire. This could be handy if you need to change a fuse on a plug. These can also be useful for pinching metal clips together, such as the clips around your pipes or washing machine.

As you can see, pliers have so many uses and should therefore be a key part of any homeowners toolbox.

7. Spanner

A spanner of any description can be very useful, but a crescent spanner is one with an adjustable head. This means you can change it to fit every nut or joint that you might need to remove.

But, even if you opt for a regular spanner, having one of these in your toolbox can be handy if you need to undo the U-bend of your sink, fix a bike or any number of DIY tasks around the home. So make sure that a spanner is on your shopping list if you don’t have one already.

8. Putty knife/scraper

It doesn’t matter whether it’s a small putty knife or a larger scraper; these tools have a number of helpful uses. These can be used to remove wallpaper or flakey old paint when redecorating, to spread filler on your walls or even just help you to open a tin of paint. They are very flexible and, therefore, a good addition to your toolbox.

9. Power drill

Sometimes a screwdriver just won’t cut it and you need something a little tougher to help you with driving screws into walls or other hard materials. This is why you need a power drill. These are also great for quickly removing screws and drilling pilot holes when you are preparing to put up shelves, pictures or any other materials you may be screwing to your walls.   

Having a power drill makes completing these tasks much easier, especially if you have a cordless drill that you can charge up and easily carry around the house with you for wherever the job may be.

10. Ladder/Stepladder

Finally, though this is not a tool you’d be able to fit in your toolbox, it is one that you’ll find yourself using quite often. From a full-sized ladder to a smaller stepladder, these come in very handy when doing simple tasks, for example, changing a light bulb, trimming the hedge or even putting up your Christmas decorations.

This is why investing in a sturdy set of steps or a ladder is a good idea for every home.