If you do even basic projects around the house—hanging shelves, patching holes, assembling furniture—there are a few tools that earn a permanent spot close by. Not out in the shed, not buried in the garage, but in a hall closet or cabinet where you can grab them in thirty seconds.

These are the things that keep small jobs small and save you from digging through six bins every time something needs fixing.

A solid stud finder and basic level

Guessing where studs are is how you end up with sagging shelves and fifteen holes behind one picture. A decent stud finder and a small level take all the doubt out of hanging things. You’ll actually hit wood and get stuff straight the first time.

Keep both in a small bin or pouch right inside the closet door. When it’s easy to grab them, you’re more likely to hang things correctly instead of throwing in one screw and hoping for the best. Over time, that saves walls, patch jobs, and your patience.

A compact tool kit with real screwdrivers and a hammer

Every DIYer needs a basic tool kit they don’t have to assemble from random drawers. At minimum, you want a claw hammer, a tape measure, a utility knife, and a set of real screwdrivers (Phillips and flathead in a couple of sizes). A small adjustable wrench and pliers are nice too.

Skip the ultra-tiny “housewarming gift” kits that fall apart. Get a simple set from a reliable brand and keep it in one box or bag in the hall closet. When something breaks, wobbles, or needs tightening, you’ll know exactly where to reach instead of roaming the house hunting for a single screwdriver.

A cordless drill with a small bit set

You can technically do a lot with hand tools, but a cordless drill is what truly makes DIY feel doable. You’ll use it for furniture assembly, hanging curtain rods, pre-drilling into studs, swapping out hardware, and a hundred little jobs you don’t even think about yet.

Pair it with a small set of drill bits and screwdriver bits stored in the same case. Keep the battery charged and the drill where you can grab it quickly. Once you have it in the hall closet instead of buried in the garage, you’ll find yourself knocking out projects in pockets of time instead of putting them off.

A small spackle and paint touch-up kit

Dings, nail holes, and scuffs are part of real life. Having a tiny repair kit ready to go makes it easy to fix them before they stack up. Toss a small tub of spackle, a putty knife, sanding sponge, and a couple of labeled paint jars or sample containers with your wall colors into one caddy.

When you take something down or notice a gouge, you’re five minutes away from a fix instead of talking yourself into a “big paint day” that never happens. Those tiny touch-ups keep your walls looking cared for, even in high-traffic areas.

A dedicated “fix-it” bin for anchors, hooks, and picture hardware

Instead of keeping wall anchors, picture hooks, extra screws, and felt pads scattered in random packages, pour them into a small divided organizer and label the sections. Keep it in the same closet as your tools.

When you need to hang something or secure a wobbly piece of furniture, you’re not running back to the store for the tenth time because you can’t find the right hardware. One little bin of “all the bits” makes you feel much more capable, and it turns weekend projects into quick wins instead of half-day scavenger hunts.