During the first year of living in my first 'real' apartment, my now-husband's family asked what they could get me for my birthday. I responded by asking for a power drill. While I think they thought it was a strange request, they obliged, and ten years later it's still one of my most used tools. Just because you don't own your home doesn't mean you shouldn't have your own toolkit for repairs and improvement.
Here a list of what got us through several years of renting without fail, doesn't take up much space, and now gets plenty of use with us in our first home:
1. Power Drill
2. Screw Driver Set
3. Hammer
4. Duct Tape
5. Tape Measure
6. Wire
7. Extension Cords / Power Strip
8. Utility Knife
9. Flashlight
10. Step Stool (or ladder)
11. Allen Wrenches
12. Pliers
13. Level
14. Scissors
15. Assortment of fasteners, hooks, hanging strips and reusable poster tack
MORE TOOLKIT POSTS ON APARTMENT THERAPY:
• Ten Years Later: A Good Gift
• The 8 Essentials of a Home Tech Maintenance Toolkit
• A New Home Tool Kit
• Black and Decker Project Kit
• 10 "Must Have" Supplies for the Home
• Setting Up Home: DIY Tool Basics
• Essential Tools for the New Homeowner
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Excellent list. Three refinements - drywall anchors, a small jar of spackle, Command picture hanging strips - the velcro kind or the hook kind.
So true. I had a drill at the top of my Christmas and birthday lists (my family demands these) for two straight years before they finally believed I was serious. They obliged at last, just as I was moving into a new place. I love it!
What is with these lists? You get what you need when you need it. Or you buy that little kit at Ikea (or get it as a present from some nervous Nelly parent). Who uses Allen wrenches anyway?
@USBEK DE PERSE, I don't mind having a list like this, but I don't know why they keep doing so many posts lately that are just like this. I feel like I read a toolkit list last week and a different one the week before.
I am printing this list and going to the store. I needed this a few months ago.