Welcome to your Top Tools guide! This is not a guide that will tell you what brand tools to buy, just as an fyi. But I will tell you all my favorite tools, in general.
Hand Tools
Everyone needs a few key hand tools around the house. This includes things to cut, write, measure, and drive with.
Measuring tape
Must have for every single person who lives in a dwelling of some sort — this includes apartments and houses and everything in between. You will always need to measure something, trust. Personally, I probably have 5 measuring taps, ranging in length from 6’ to 25’. Plus two stick rules (underrated), and then, because I’m also crafty, a variety of rulers, yard sticks, and flexible sewing tape measures.
BONUS - laser measure
And if you do a lot of home reno, I highly recommend getting a laser measure. These come pretty small if you want — Bosch makes a pocket-sized one that I have and I love it. It’s easy to use, and roughly 3” long. It was pricey for it’s size (about $60), but worth it. Once you get to a place where you’re measuring more distances across a room, having one of these is totally clutch.
Hammer
I feel like I don’t need to go into a lot of detail here. But a basic hammer is needed for everyone.
BONUS - rubber mallet
Highly underrated. In fact, I would venture to say a lot of people who live in dwellings could probably make as much, maybe even more, use of a rubber mallet as a regular hammer.
Screw drivers
Personally, I like a multitool. It has a variety of flat and Philipps heads, plus a flashlight, and is collapsible. Good as a multipurpose tool. But it can be handy to have some real screwdrivers as well (especially for tight or awkward spaces — like when screwing in a door handle — having the longer bit is helpful.
Construction knife
I buy this as fast as I lose them — and then I find them again. So I basically am collecting them. But a construction knife with a brand new blade is your best friend. Buy the big pack of replacement blades and change them often. There’s really no need to keep using a dull blade.
BONUS - Straight razor
These are great for all kinds of scraping needs. Need to get hot glue off the counter? Straight razor. Need to remove your registration sticker on your car windscreen and put the new one? Straight razor. And you can get the kind that comes with a handle and the blade is retractable.