A tool kit in your home is just as important as having a couch or curtains because you never truly know when you’ll need one – whether it’s for building flat-pack furniture, creating a post-worthy DIY, or doing an emergency repair. Having the right tools to hand can not only save you both time and money, but it can also give you a sense of accomplishment by allowing you to do the tasks yourself! 

But what items are essential to curating the perfect basic household tool kit? Keep reading this guide to find out… 

Understanding the basics

Why do you need a tool kit?

Having handymen literally at our fingertips, thanks to the internet, apps and social media does a world of good for a lot of people. However, one could argue that it is now too easy to be reliant on others to build our furniture and fix our repairs, instead of learning how to do it ourselves. Having a basic tool kit at home allows you to be self-sufficient and build on what used to be basic life skills of DIY and maintenance. 

The self-sufficiency of a basic tool kit is also cost-effective – because if you can do it yourself, you don’t need to pay somebody else! Having the correct tools always on hand also means that you won’t be paying the surcharge of next-day delivery companies, if you’re needing something in a rush. 

Types of basic household tool kits

Basic tool kits can be purchased, depending on their purpose. These include general-purpose, plumbing, and electrical tool kits. However, the tools each home needs are very much based on individual needs and the requirements of the home. So whilst a pre-made tool kit may be a great starting point, we recommend looking into the needs of your household and purchasing further tools accordingly. 

Essential tools for every household

1. Storage 

Firstly, you need somewhere to store your tools – we suggest investing in a toolbox that is large, durable, and lockable. This is so that your tools all remain in one place, safe, and locked away from small children. If you need to keep your tools out and on-hand, wrapping them up in bungee tape is a great way to keep your tools secure, together and organised. 

2. Bungee cords

Bungee cords can be extremely useful around all areas of the home, so it’ll always be helpful to have some on hand in your essentials tool kit, or nearby if you have a lot of bungee to store.

At The Bungee Store, our Lastoflex bungee cords are great for outdoor DIYs, due to their strength, water resistance and UV resistance. Our Superflex bungee cords, on the other hand, are better suited for in-home DIYs, due to their high abrasion resistance, flexibility, and waterproof and UV-stabilised materials.

Some DIY bungee creations include baby gates, car shopping bag holders and dog leads. 

3. Hammer and nails

A versatile hammer is a great thing to add to your toolbox. A claw hammer is usually a choice pick for an essential toolbox, along with a wide selection of different nails. As well as the hammer, you may also find a rubber mallet useful, though you could find ways around needing one with everyday items. 

4. Screwdrivers and screws

Screwdrivers are essential in any home, but instead of purchasing loads of different screwdrivers, why not invest in a multi-bit screwdriver set? This will end up saving you precious space in your toolbox and from rooting around looking for different ones. A variety of screws is always great to have handy, too.

5. Spanners, pliers and Allen keys

An adjustable spanner, also known as a wrench, is used to tighten and loosen nuts and bolts (which you will also need) and is very handy in an essentials toolbox. Alongside this, combination and alligator pliers may also be helpful to get a firm grip on tight bolts. A variety of different sized allen keys is always recommended, if you often forget to keep them after building your furniture.

6. Cordless drill and bits

Master your DIY maintenance and build with a cordless drill and bits set. A cordless drill, depending on the bit, can be used all over your home – making even some of the most complex, ‘call a handyman’ tasks easy! Wall plugs would also be handy to have – especially if you’ll be drilling holes all over the place. 

7. Accuracy tools

When doing any sort of DIY repairs, maintenance or building, accuracy is always key! Every essential tool kit should always have a tape measure, for measuring distance, and a spirit level, for making sure your building is straight. Note down your findings by keeping a pencil, marker and pad of paper in your kit.

We also recommend having a stud, cable and pipe detector in your tool kit – just so you can ensure that any DIY doesn’t go into your walls and mess up your home!

8. Cutting tools

There will always be parts of your DIYs that require some sort of cutting. Typically, a utility knife may be the perfect all-rounder tool for cutting wires, drywall, fibreglass insulation, cardboard and more. However, there may be times when you need a hot knife, such as our Blue Hot Knife Rope Cutter 100W. These are used for cutting reinforced materials, like bungee cords, rope, carpet and webbing, and preventing them from fraying. 

9. Miscellaneous

Along with tools, screws and bolts, they are also a few miscellaneous items we recommend keeping in a basic toolbox. These include:

• Lubricant 
• Canned air 
• Gaffer and electrical tape 
• Torch or work light 
• Extension cord 
• Sandpaper 
• Utility knife 

Safety First

Safety gear

Staying safe whilst in DIY mode at home is paramount. Depending on the task you are completing, will decide which gear you need – but safety gear should always be on hand. We recommend that a basic tool kit include: 

• Gloves 
• Safety glasses
• Masks 
• Ear protection 

We also recommend always ensuring that you, and those around you, wear sensible clothing and footwear. 

Basic first aid kit

Accidents happen, but you need to be prepared in case they do whilst you are DIY-ing. Having a basic first aid kit on hand just ensures that you have everything you could ever need, should an accident happen. 

For more ways bungee cords can help around your house, read more articles over on The Bungee Store blog, or feel free to contact our friendly team today!