Tool box basics for 20-somethings

May 29, 2012 8:00 AM by Alicia French

Posted in Home / Home Improvement

From hanging curtains and pictures on your wall, to fixing broken hinges and craft projects, having a few standard tools around the house will make your life easier and keep you feeling independent. You may find that you actually enjoy fixing things around your house and if not, at least you'll have the right tools in case you need to call in back up.

The basics

Hammer
Screwdrivers — you'll need a Phillips-head and a flat-head screwdriver, ideally, in a few different sizes.
Pliers
A wrench set that includes a variety of sizes
Nails, screws and tacks
Measuring tape
Flashlight
Gloves

Must-haves

Nail filler or spackle
Paintbrushes, paint trays, tape and a drop cloth
Sandpaper
Level
Staple gun

For the yard

Shovel
Rake
Lawn mower
Weed eater
Hedge clippers
Garden-quality scissors

Other tools to consider

Electric drill

A decent electric drill will cost you less than $50, and you’ll easily get your money's worth. If you have to put screws in your wall, put together furniture or take something apart, an electric drill can be a lifesaver.

Hand sander

If you are planning to do DIY projects around the house that involve refinishing wood such as updating furniture or redoing your kitchen cabinets, a hand sander will save you major time. They are relatively inexpensive, and they’ll be worth their weight in gold if you have a large project to tackle.

Laser level or a chalk line reel

For projects that involve getting things straight over a long distance, a laser level or a chalk line is ideal. If you plan to hang a row of pictures or other decoration or even if you are laying tile, a level that you can see but doesn’t take up space will make for quick work.

Home improvement safety tips

Turn off the water to your house before you start any project that involves plumbing.
Always turn of the electricity before you work with wires or anything connected to live electricity.
If you are unsure of what's broken or how something works, don't mess with it. You may do more harm than good if you take apart a sink or a toilet with no way of putting it back together.
Wear gloves, goggles and face masks if need be to protect yourself from flying objects, dust or other foreign particles.
When in doubt, call a professional!