Q: Hello Youngsters. As I read about all the projects you tackle around your house, I find myself wondering whether you have a gigantic toolbox, or if in fact there are just a small handful of tools that you use on a regular basis. Do you have a few essentials you’d recommend to any DIYer? Are there any tools that you don’t have, but find yourself wishing for? Thanks! -Chris

A: We’ll admit up front that we’re a bit unusual about where we store our go-to tools. Many of them live in a few kitchen drawers. It surprises people—even our cabinet installer did a double take when I explained that the cabinet base to the left of the stove would be dedicated to screwdrivers, paint rollers, nails, anchors, sandpaper and other home improvement essentials. It works for us: everything is extremely organized thanks to four drawers sorted by type of tool and supplies.

I’ll admit I sometimes feel a little obsessive about keeping the drawers tidy, but when you’re always working around the house it’s a big time-saver to know exactly where things are. For anyone curious, here’s our drawer-by-drawer breakdown:

• The top drawer holds hand tools: screwdrivers, hammers, wrenches, pliers, a box cutter, tape measure and other daily essentials.
• The second drawer houses hardware — nails, anchors, screws, hooks and similar items.
• The third drawer contains consumables and repair supplies: sandpaper, caulk, duct tape, plumber’s putty, wood glue, cable ties, putty knives and construction adhesives.
• The bottom drawer is deeper and stores painting supplies: brushes, rollers, paint trays, painter’s tape and stir sticks.

We’ve written previously about our favorite tools in greater detail, but to summarize the basics we reach for most often: a hammer, crowbar, flat-head and Phillips screwdrivers, tape measure, box cutter and utility knives, pliers (including needle nose and channel locks), a level, a cordless drill, various wrenches, sandpaper, caulk and a caulk gun, spackle and putty knives, painter’s tape, quality angled brushes, and a range of nails and screws. Those are the items that keep projects moving smoothly without needing a full workshop for every job.

For larger tasks we sometimes rent or borrow heavier equipment. On past projects we used a demolition hammer to remove old tile, a wet saw and a miter saw for precise cuts during bathroom rebuilds, and a circular saw with hole-cutting bits for larger carpentry work. Big power tools definitely make you feel more capable—there’s a certain satisfaction in wielding the right tool for a tough job. That boost in confidence applies to both of us; Sherry especially lights up when she’s using a heavy-duty tool and getting results.

Although we’d love to own a miter saw, wet saw or a demolition hammer, practical storage limits push us toward renting or borrowing those items when needed. Smaller power tools like a sander, a couple of cordless drivers and extra caulk guns live in hidden storage above the washer and dryer, so they’re handy but out of sight until required.

One tool we consistently recommend is the Kreg Jig. It has been invaluable for building shelves, a two-person desk and a storage shelf that slides under the desk. It’s one of those simple, affordable items that multiplies what you can accomplish with basic lumber and a few fasteners.

We don’t claim there’s only one right brand for every tool, but here are some products and manufacturers we regularly use and trust:

• Stanley for reliable screwdrivers, tape measures, crowbars, box cutters and mini sledgehammers.
• Craftsman for durable hammers.
• Black & Decker for cordless drills and sanders—practical, budget-friendly options.
• Frog Tape for clean paint lines—our experience is that it performs very well.
• Sherwin-Williams short-handled brushes for trim work.
• Purdy brushes and rollers for walls and furniture painting—especially good angled brushes and quality rollers.
• Sears wrench sets for general wrench needs.
• Grip Rite for bulk boxes of screws, nails and anchors.
• 3M sandpaper across a range of grits, from coarse (60–100) for heavy sanding to fine (200–300) for finishing.
• DAP for caulks and sealants—white, paintable indoor/outdoor sealant for many jobs and a specialized kitchen-and-bath caulk for wet areas.
• DAP CrackShot spackle for filling nail holes and minor repairs.

That covers where we keep our tools, the essentials we rely on, the larger tools we rent or wish we owned, and the brands we turn to most often. We aren’t outfitted with expensive pro-only gear, which is reassuring: you don’t need to buy top-of-the-line equipment to make your home look great. Renting or borrowing specialty tools is a smart, cost-effective approach when a job requires them.

Now we’d love to hear from you: are there any life-changing tools in your collection that you’d recommend? Any brands or specific products that consistently deliver? Share your tool-time tips and favorite gear—your recommendations might help someone else finish their next project faster and with less hassle.

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