No home is perfect. It might be that you have to assemble some new furniture, hang up and level a shelf or even tighten up a loose door hinge. Whatever small problems may arise (and trust us they will), it is best to be prepared - with these ten tools you always will be. Ready and able to tackle everything from small repairs to interior design and small home improvement projects.

Whether you’re measuring for a new sofa, framing up a shed or building furniture from scratch, a tape measure is where every project begins. Not only will it save you the hassle of having to guess at your measurements, but it can also save you significant time and expense that a bad cut or miss-drilled hole can cause.

When the scale of the project exceeds the 20 – 30 meters of your average tape measure, you can also upgrade to a laser measure. Perfect for quickly determining the square footage and height of any given room when planning to re-decorate.

These days it is common to see a wide array of different types of screw heads, including slotted, Phillips and Torx – all of which require a different screwdriver to drive. Why fill out your toolbox with a complete set of screwdrivers though, when you can just as easily find a multi-bit tool. Many of which are supplied with a set of interchangeable bits for most common household needs.

You’ll find this screwdriver a lifesaver when it comes to assembling new furniture, especially flat packed tables and cabinets with fixings supplied. Let’s also remember that screwdrivers are just as good at loosening fixings as they are at tightening, making them a must-have when looking to break down and recycle older pieces left behind by previous owners.

What Toolbox would be complete without a trusty hammer? Able to deliver strong impacts, they are the ideal tool for driving in nails and small demolition jobs. Claw hammers in particular boast a versatile array of uses, able to act as a make-shift axe with two back claws able to split wood, dig holes and pry old or damaged nails free.

Most Claw Hammers will other either straight or curved claws. Whilst each design has its benefits and drawbacks, the key difference is relatively straightforward. Straight claws tend to be sharper and provide greater leverage. Curved claws are still our favourite, however, being more than capable of pulling nails in most situations whilst boasting a more compact design that makes them easier to store.

As with screwdrivers, there are a fair number of different drills available to suit different jobs. Whether that be driving in screws, drilling pilot holes in wood or anchor holes in plasterboard. A Combi Drill, as the name suggests, offers the most versatility – making it a must-have if you have only one drill to invest in.

These tools feature both hammering and screwdriver options, making them as ideal for drilling into soft brick and stone as they are working with wood and thin metal. Make sure to opt for a cordless model while you’re at it for far greater levels of freedom and mobility – perfect for quick repair work and construction projects alike.

Whilst shopping for a new drill, it is important not to forget this important accessory. Stud finders offer a quick and simple means of locating wall studs behind drywall or plaster capable of bearing significantly more weight than the wall itself. This an essential piece of information when looking to hang any heavy object, including shelves and cabinets.

Whilst looking at Stud Finders you may also want to invest in a cable detector. These can save some major headaches down the road, especially when doing a lot of drilling as accidentally hitting a pipe or cable runs the risk of flooding, power loss and even electrical fires if the damage is not repaired. 

On the note of hanging shelves, this next tool is one you should definately have in your back pocket when doing so. Spirit levels, whilst simple in principle, are a staple tool of virtually every trade. Used to ensure that any given horizontal or vertical surface is completely level. This could be on countertops, brick walls, fencing applications and many, many more. 

Whilst many apps offer the same kind of tool few, if any, will boast the same precision and adaptability as a quality level. Which, let’s not forget, can also serve as a straight edge, measuring tool and cutting guide in a pinch. 

Compared to screwdrivers and hammers, you might not think that pair of pliers will see much use around the home. But you’d be surprised by their versatility. Not only can they be used to securely grip materials (perfect for pulling stubborn nails or retrieving a snapped off key from a lock but they can also be a superb cutting tool if you are working with wire.

There are a lot of different pliers to choose from. Enough that it would be ideal to pick out a general-use set to cover the majority of applications. However, if picking only one we would suggest one with both adjustable and locking jaws. Not only are they far more flexible, but they are also considerably more comfortable as the locked jaws will be able to maintain constant pressure for you.

Remember to use insulated pliers when working with live wires.

Like pliers, wrenches offer a far more versatile array of uses than their appearance might suggest. A good adjustable wrench can not only be used to loosen and tighten nuts and bolts on pipework, bikes and other machinery but can also pull hard-to-reach nails and screws.

From simple arts and crafts to cutting score lines and trimming plastic, a good utility knife will find use across a great deal of DIY projects. They are lightweight and easy to use with a blade that can be retracted for safe transport and storage. With a number of spare blades on hand, you’ll find this simple tool a reliable companion for much of your working life.

Have you ever built a piece of flat-packed furniture and had spare screws left behind? Us to, and we couldn’t be happier about it. A toolbox wouldn’t be complete, after all, without pockets full of spare fixings to rely on whenever you need to make a quick emergency repair. Stocking up on multiple sizes on wall plugs would also be a good precautionary measure for whenever you feel the urge to mount a picture frame, shelf or TV.

Whilst technically speaking not a ‘tool’, no toolbox should go without a few rolls of masking tape. Not only is it essential when drilling into fragile materials, like ceramic tiles, it can also be used to mark and measure across a wide range of different projects – including measuring drill depth by taping it across your drill bit.

Whether you’re hanging a frame, building a shelf or assembling a new kitchen cabinet we have the hammers, saws and drills for the job – all supplied from leading manufacturers and delivered straight to your door. Home improvement has never been so easy.

Looking for more inspiration? Take a look at our wide range of product and project guides - covering an array of subjects from garden renovations to painting and decorating, installing stunning lighting set-ups to building out a kitchen or bathroom from scratch and much, much more. Take the leap today and start your DIY journey right here. For direct help and advice, you can also contact our award-winning customer service team.