Vital Tools for A New Home

I’ve compiled a list of vital tools (and gifts) for a new home, based on my (lack of) experience:

1. A toolbox. This doesn’t have to be fancy or huge.
2. A hammer. You’d be surprised at just how often one of these simple tools comes in handy! Sometimes the heel of a shoe just doesn’t cut it.
3. A screwdriver. If purchasing one of these, be sure to get one that has interchangeable bits (from a flat head ‘bit’ to a Phillips, which is the one that looks like a ‘cross’).
4. Pliers. Regular and needle nose are handy to have around.
5. A crescent wrench – this is one of those pliers-looking-things that has an adjustable screw to make the gripper part bigger or littler.
6. Wire cutters. Of course, these are used to cut wire (duh!), but they can also be used to cut those tough plastic-wrapped packages that are next to impossible to open, as well as zip ties.
7. A cordless drill. This incidentally was the best Christmas gift I have received in years! I think I ran the battery down the first day, just playing with it (made the buzzing noise every time someone opened a gift)! Along with this purchase, get a set of different size drill bits especially made for a drill. I have a set that has a tiny bit that I use to drill a pilot hole. A pilot hole is something that is helpful when getting screws started or helps to keep wood from splitting when being attached to something.
8. A socket set. This will make life so much easier when “Some Assembly Is Required” comes into play when purchasing shelving, cabinetry or equipment.
9. Cleaning supplies, implements (broom, dustpan, mop, and one of those thingies to wipe down blinds if you have them), and soaps-dish, dishwasher, laundry. Mundane but necessary purchases. By the way, if you ever make the SERIOUS mistake of using dish or laundry soap in your dishwasher, liquid fabric softener will get rid of the bubbles that will result. It may take a few cycles to get rid of them, but I can bet you’ll never make that mistake again!
10. An assortment of screws, hooks, nails, and fasteners. These can be put into a small tackle box or a craft box that has little segregated compartments.
11. Push pins. Handy for SO many minor projects!
12. Zip ties. To organize the multitude of cords that will connect you to the outside world.
13. Glue, Tape, WD-40, 3-in-1 Oil – Elmer’s, wood, Super. Duct tape, scotch tape, packing tape. You’ll be prepared to stick it, un-stick it, or stop incessant squeaking.
14. Light bulbs. The more energy efficient, the better.
15. Batteries. Especially the 9-volt kind because I can almost guarantee that your smoke detector’s battery will die at 2 a.m.!
16. Speaking of smoke detectors, if your place doesn’t have them, this should be at the top of your list. Also get a good carbon monoxide detector.
17. Toilet paper. Get a backup pack so you don’t run out. Need I say more?
18. Paper towels, garbage bags. If you can’t clean it up, you can always throw it away.
19. Get three sizes of zip lock bags – sandwich, quart, and gallon. These can be used for so many things! I use the quart sized ones to organize power cords, sandwich sized ones to apply colored icing-writing on cakes, and the gallon size is just about perfect as a cover for anything put on a paper plate.
20. Food storage containers. Get the kind you’ll keep for yourself but also get some disposable, low cost containers. At some point you may take food into work or send leftovers with guests, and you may never get the good stuff back.
21. Not a necessity but nice – Kleenex, paper napkins, paper plates.

And finally, a First Aid Kit. Fortify it with extras if it is small and incomplete.

Many of these things can be purchased at a dollar store until you figure out what you would like to purchase that is of better quality. I purchased the dollar store dish soap but found I prefer Palmolive dish soap.

I hope my list helps you!