5 cheap tools you should have for quick repairs around the house

Even if you have a full workshop in your garage or basement, it's still a good idea to have a few basic tools on hand. When a door hinge is a little loose or you need to hang a new picture frame, you don't want to put on your shoes and head all the way to the shed to find a screwdriver. Keeping a small toolkit in a drawer is a great way to tackle small jobs quickly – it makes life a lot easier.

 

1. Tape measure

Will a blank wall fit a new shelf? Or when shopping online and want to see what '10.6 inches' is like in real life? While smartphones now have AR measuring tapes, a real tape measure will always be more accurate and convenient. A cheap 3–5 meter tape measure will suffice in most situations.

2. Box cutter

 

The age of online shopping has left homes filled with cardboard boxes. Don't torture yourself with dull scissors or a kitchen knife. A sharp box cutter will make opening boxes, cutting tape, or disposing of hard plastic packaging much easier and safer.

3. Multi-purpose screwdriver with replaceable head

This is a lifesaver in every situation. Instead of having to carry around a bunch of bulky screwdrivers, just one handle and a few replacement bits are enough. You can quickly change from the small bits for tightening glass screws to the large bits for turning door hinges. A basic set with flat and cross bits in various sizes will handle most jobs around the house.

4. Adjustable wrench

 

No need for a special wrench set, just a medium-sized wrench is enough to turn faucet screws, adjust refrigerator legs or tighten small bolts. Although it cannot handle major damage, for simple operations, a wrench is a flexible, compact and very worthwhile choice.

5. Pliers

A good pair of pliers is always useful in any home. Whether they have a pointed or sliding jaw, pliers can help you pick up, hold, pull, or tighten when your hands can't. From pulling out nails, catching things down the drain, or loosening a stripped screw, pliers are a reliable helper.

Additional suggestion: Small hammer

A hammer is a basic tool, but not everyone needs it very often. If you have room in your drawer, get a small hammer to use for hammering in picture hangers – perfect.

Of course, with these few basic items, you can't build a coffee table yourself, but that's not the goal. The point is to save time searching for tools and get the job done in seconds. Think of this as a 'first aid kit' for small household problems.