Congratulations on purchasing your first home! Maybe you were living at home with your parents before your home purchase, or in a rented apartment with roommates. In any case, now that you are a homeowner you finally have free reign to make your home exactly how you want it. The days of asking your parents or landlord for permission to change the paint color in the kitchen or hang a heavy mirror above the sofa are officially behind you.
You might be a little distracted by the excitement of signing those closing documents and being handed the keys, but it’s never too soon to focus on the responsibilities involved with your new investment. One way to start is by making a list of all the essential items you will need to purchase to make your new home as livable, safe and comfortable as possible. While you’re picking out new throw pillows, rugs, and patio furniture don’t neglect one of the most important aspects of home ownership: owning the right tools.
Which Tools Are Absolutely Essential?
Before you even move in you will want to make sure you have the following tools at the ready for any unexpected repairs that come up as well as common moving in tasks, such as hanging up pictures on the wall or installing extra shelving:
Duct tape and packing tape
Hammer
Hand-held drill with various size bits
Laser level (for hanging art on the wall without the guesswork or having to re-do a crooked hanging job)
Nails
Pliers (at least two sets- standard and needle nose)
Screwdrivers ( either get both a standard slotted screwdriver– commonly referred to as a flathead, and a Phillips screwdriver, or spend a bit more on a decent hand set with multiple types of bits and sizes)
Screws
Stud finder (essential to use before hanging anything heavy on the wall)
Tape measure (good to have more than one as they can be easily misplaced)
Tool box
Wrench (the adjustable kind is best)
All Settled In- What’s Next?
You’re all moved in and the boxes are unpacked. Thanks to that laser level and stud finder you were smart enough to grab from the store before you moved, all of your framed photos are perfectly hung on the wall. Now that you’re all settled in it’s time to think about any DIY home projects you plan to tackle in your new home. Whether you’re keeping things simple with basics like new paint and cabinet fixtures, or letting your inner home renovator shine, now is the time to invest in more serious tools that will help you with all of your home improvement needs. Here are some tools to purchase on an as-needed basis after you are settled into your new home:
Caulking gun
Paint brushes and rollers
Power sander (for prepping larger surfaces before refinishing or painting)
Sandpaper
Sanding block (for sanding furniture and other smaller surfaces when a power sander isn’t necessary)
Saw
Shop vac
Sledge hammer (for demolition time!)
Staple gun
Tarps (for protecting floors and other surfaces when painting or renovating)
Wall-mounted organizer (for all of your shiny new tools!)
This should have you covered for most home-based projects and repairs, but of course as you become more experienced at DIY projects you may find yourself needing to gradually add to your growing tool collection. Congratulations again on your home purchase. Enjoy your new home, and don’t be afraid to roll up your sleeves and get to work!
Arthur Salmeron is a freelance writer in Geneva, Illinois. He is an expert on architectural topics. He writes primarily about wood stair railings and customer parts from www.stairparts.net.
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