**This is a collaborative post
They say a workman is only as good as his, or her, tools, and this is no less true than when you’re doing work around your home and garden.
From choosing the right footwear to arming yourself with all the right equipment, this must-have list of tools should have you finding yourself well on your way to DIY perfection – in the home and garden. Having lived on my own for 8 years before I met Barry I amassed quite a collection of DIY and gardening equipment but if you’re just starting out in your own home then this is the list for you!
Gardening Tool Essentials
If you’re not the green-fingered type, gardening can seem like a mammoth task, quickly becoming something you put off and avoid as much as possible.
However, with the right tools for the job, you’ll soon be making your neighbours go green with envy. The recommended basics include:
- A spade
- A fork
- A hoe
- A rake
- A hand fork
- A hand trowel
- A pair of secateurs
Investing in some decent gardening tools will have you powering through your jobs in next to no time.
DIY Tool Must-Haves
Whether you’re just moving into your first home or you’ve decided to take on any DIY jobs instead of paying someone else to do it, you’ll probably need to build up a DIY toolkit.
Experts recommend putting together the following tools for all types of odd jobs around the home:
- Hammer – including one with a claw so you can pry nails out with ease as well as driving them in
- Screwdrivers – make sure you have at least one Philips and one flat-head screwdriver available
- Adjustable wrench
- Utility knife
- Scraper (or putty knife)
- Handsaw
- Pliers
- Tape measure
- Torch
- Nails, screws and other hardware
- Tape, including duct tape, masking tape and electrical tape
And don’t forget a sturdy toolbox to put everything in!
Feeling brave?
Then you may want to extend your tools to include some other more advanced essentials, including a level, electric drill, adjustable pliers and a circular saw.
DIY and Gardening Get-Ups
Finally, there’s no point having all the right tools if you’re not equipped yourself, too. And while old clothes and shoes are ideal for those small DIY jobs and gardening projects, it’s sometimes worth making sure you have the right workwear and footwear on standby, especially if you’re doing heavy-duty jobs or something over a longer period of time.
Some everyday DIY essentials include gloves that protect you from splinters, nettle stings and everything else in between; goggles to shield your eyes from splashes, dust and flying debris; and a mask to prevent you from inhaling dust while you’re sanding or sawing.
As you continue to gain confidence with your gardening and DIY skillsets, you’ll probably want to add to your toolkit. But to start with, once you’re equipped with all of these essentials, you’ll soon be looking for new jobs you can take on around your home. Or if you’re anything like me you’ll just call your dad and get him to do it instead!