Important tools

Having a dead battery is miserable enough; who wants to add to the misery by waiting around for AAA or wandering around the parking lot, searching for someone who isn't sketchy to ask for a jump? It's also impossible to use incorrectly an alarm will go off if you don't hook the clamps to the right spots.

Have a leaky shower head? Wrap some of this watertight tape around it until you want to deal with replacing it. Or just leave the tape there--it works REALLY well unless you have a more high-pressure problem, then you need to dial up your favorite plumber.

Another awesome option: X-Treme Tape you can attach it to mufflers and other things that get hot. Not long enough? Try feet. Wash whatever foul surface you may have, then fold the bucket up, and stick it under your sink until you need it again.

Don't buy a couch only to find out it won't even fit into your living room! Measure first. Always measure first. This particular model is inexpensive enough to allow you to buy it in multiples: one for the kitchen, one for the garage, and so on.

Dust can cause computers, TVs, and other electronics to overheat. Most people use compressed air dusters to clean them out, but that just spreads the dust to other areas of the room! This kit is filled with micro attachments that allow your vacuum to clean even the smallest areas--sucking up the dust, not just displacing it.

Beyond electronics, the attachments are useful for cleaning bookshelves, vehicles, and "between" spaces between your fridge and the wall, between your oven and the floor, etc. Kitchen and Dining Seating. Living Room and Entryway Seating. Sign In. Join as a Pro. Houzz TV. Houzz Research. Looking for the perfect gift?

Send a Houzz Gift Card! Housekeeping Housekeeping Top Ideabooks. Appears in. See also. Decluttering Cleaning. Decorating Guides. Woodworking Woodworking Top Ideabooks. DIY Projects. Latest From Houzz. Apartment Life. Susan Stieglitz June 21, Save Comment 85 Like If you love tools or just need to stock a basic toolbox, here are the top 20 necessary items to get your small project done.

How many do you have? Related: 14 Power Tools for the Home Shop. Philips screwdriver. A Philips or X-shape screwdriver is probably one of the most common tools in any toolbox. If you have a have a handle that accepts interchangeable tips, you can cover a wide range of screw types and sizes. Flathead screwdriver. A flathead or straight screwdriver is invaluable; most light switch plates use straight screws, for example.

Having the right size flathead can make a difference, so start with at least a set of three small, medium and large to be able to handle most jobs. That's why a tape measure is a must-have tool for your toolkit. Your best choice is one with Imperial and Metric units, which is pretty standard among tape measures. Some trusted brands for tape measures include DeWalt and Milwaukee , which offer up to 10 meters in tape.

Your ratchet , or socket wrench, will save you plenty when it comes to elbow grease. They're excellent for tasks with multiple bolts involved, as your ratchet handles all the work of loosening or tightening them. If your socket wrench becomes one of your most useful hand tools, consider grabbing some attachments for it, like a u-joint adapter. Another hand tool everyone should have? A level. This item is an essential hand tool for new homeowners, as it helps you hang photo frames, curtain rods, towel racks and other interior items.

They're also a must for outdoor projects like building a property fence. When it comes to choosing a level, there are pocket , collapsible and standard levels.

If you're undertaking home improvement projects, you'll need a steel square. The advantage of a framing square is that it helps you find right angles, plus mark your cut-offs on materials. Many companies also produce combination squares , which feature both a level and a square. It's not a bad idea to have a separate level and square. No matter who you ask, Phillips and flathead screwdrivers are two hand tools that everyone should have.

The crosshead screw, which matches the Phillips head, is more common today, but having a flathead screwdriver on-hand is always a good idea. Flathead screwdrivers can also be used for prying things like paint cans open. Make your work even easier with the help of a cordless drill.