8 Essential Tools Every Renter Should Have in Their Apartment
By: ROS Team
Living on your own for the first time can be fun and exciting as well as overwhelming. You probably have all of the basic items you need to survive in your new home — a bed, TV, toilet — but what about things that will help you do upkeep?
You don’t have to spend a fortune on tools just to fix things around your apartment or make repairs when they break. Most renters can make do with just a few essential tools that they use over and over again.
Tape Measure
A tape measure is one of the essential tools you can have in your apartment. You can use it to measure the size of furniture and other items you want to buy, as well as the size of your apartment and windows.
This is especially helpful if you’re shopping online since it’s very difficult to tell what an item looks like just by comparing its dimensions on paper (unless, of course, those dimensions are listed in inches).
Power Drill
If you’re going to be doing any kind of construction, a power drill is indispensable. The most obvious uses are for drilling holes in walls, doors, and floors – but that’s just the beginning! You can also use it as an electric screwdriver.
The same goes for removing screws: if you have an old piece of furniture that needs disassembling or some other kind of DIY project where bolts need tightening or loosening (or both!), then a good cordless drill will come in handy.
A last note on this tool: make sure it has two speeds – one low speed for delicate work like driving screws into the wood; another high speed for drilling through metal or concrete walls/floors/etc., where you need more torque than what your hand alone can provide.
Headlamp Or Flashlight
For hands-free lighting, headlamps are an excellent option. They come in particularly handy if there aren’t many light fixtures in your apartment or if you want to read in bed without disturbing anyone else.
The fact that they may also be used as torches makes them perfect for working on household projects. A headlamp would also be a great addition to your camping equipment!
Screwdriver Set
A screwdriver set is one of the essential tools in any home. Screwdrivers are used to drive screws into wood, plastic, and metal. A good screwdriver set should include flathead, Phillips, and Torx drivers in a variety of sizes.
You can buy a full set or just purchase the ones you think will be most useful to you based on what kind of projects you’re working on at home (or even just general maintenance).
Pry Bar And Hammer
When it comes to nail removal, a pry bar is a perfect tool. Pry bars have flat sides that allow you to use them as leverage against any surface and are strong enough to handle even the thickest nails.
When driving a nail into a surface, you can use a hammer or another form of a mallet. Although both tools are effective for this task, keep in mind that hammers are often heavier than mallets. As a result, hammers are the ideal tool for larger projects such as installing cabinets or building furniture.
Socket Set And Extension Cords
It’s always a good idea to keep a socket set and extension cords in your apartment. You never know when you might need them, especially if something goes wrong with the electricity.
Socket sets are useful for tightening loose plugs or changing light bulbs that have burned out. If you’re not sure how to use one, just look up some tutorials online–they’re pretty straightforward!
A socket set can also help you change fuses in your fuse box, which is something every renter should know how to do (just in case).
Ladder
Having a ladder in your apartment is an essential tool to have. Ladders are incredibly versatile and can be utilized for a variety of purposes, such as reaching high shelves and cabinets, as well as for hanging pictures and cleaning ceiling fans.
However, it is crucial to have the right ladder size for your needs. Not having the appropriate ladder size can be hazardous and potentially result in injury or damage to your property. Ensuring that the ladder you choose is stable and secure is critical before climbing it.
When using a ladder:
- Make sure the base of your ladder is secure on the firm ground every time before moving up another step (or rung).
- Never place yourself between two objects higher than your height when working from above them; this includes walls and ceilings if possible! Always keep one hand free at all times so that if something happens quickly enough – for example, someone comes into their room unexpectedly – you’ll still have time to react accordingly (i e, jumping down).
A Fire Extinguisher
As a tenant, having a fire extinguisher is a crucial safety measure that should never be overlooked. Choosing the appropriate type of extinguisher and being knowledgeable about its proper usage and storage is vital for effective fire prevention. Additionally, regularly maintaining your fire extinguishers is necessary to ensure their reliability in times of emergency.
Final Thoughts
We hope this list of essential tools will help make your apartment feel more like home. Remember, these are just the basics–you can always add more tools as needed! If you don’t have any spare cash lying around, don’t worry: most of these items can be found at local hardware stores or secondhand shops for very little money.