Five Must-haves to Keep Your Home in Tip-top Shape!

Photo by Ivan Samkov from Pexels

They say that home is where the heart is, meaning that where we live is somewhere special, important, and personal. For many, keeping our homes in good condition and staying on top of maintenance is a key part of preserving the quality of our homes and our lifestyles. For others, it's a matter of increasing the value of their properties with the intention to sell on the market. Whether you're a new or seasoned homeowner and regardless of your motivations, you might be wondering what essentials you need to buy in preparation for a DIY marathon. Here are the top five must-haves for dedicated home-improvers.

Superglue

Superglue is a necessity for everyone. Naturally, things fall apart and it's always useful to keep a reliable adhesive on the shelf for those days when you can get round to those odd jobs, like reattaching the broken piece of an ornament. Keeping a tube of super glue liquid in your arsenal is essential as it can stick fabric, ceramic, wood, plastic, and various other materials, with the additional bonus of being long-lasting due to its water resistance. Consider, however, how potent superglue can be and maybe keep some solvent handy, just in case you need to separate something that's accidentally been fused together...

Measuring Tools

Tape measures, rulers, and markers are the kinds of equipment we think we don’t need until we need them. Whether you’re sizing up space before getting new furniture, measuring curtains, or doing some upcycling, these items always come in handy. If you can, keep a little section reserved in a drawer for a metal tape measure, a fabric one, some Sharpies, and a ruler. You never know when you'll need to count on your trusty basics for a quick DIY fix. 

Hammer and Nails

Photo by Ivan Samkov from Pexels

There isn’t much you can't fix with a hammer and nails: these items can help you spruce up your home, whether you're placing pictures on the wall, fixing broken furniture, hanging other items like plant pots, or fixing a broken floorboard. Keeping a medium-sized hammer at home is a smart move, as well as various sizes of nails so you can be prepared for any emergency. 

Kitchen and Small-Size Scissors

Every home should have at least two kinds of scissors available; large kitchen scissors and a pair with a smaller blade. The larger variety is useful for getting into packaging, opening cartons, and cutting tougher materials.

Smaller scissors are beneficial for mending soft furnishings or clothing, cutting paper, and various other tasks. Some can even be used for cutting certain foods like salad leaves and berries. They're good to have at home because they can be used for the more intricate aspects of DIY tasks, especially when working with fine materials.

Paint and a Roller

There's nothing more irritating than chipped paint. Moving furniture, propping your bike up, or knocking into a wall can all result in chips and dents in the paintwork. These chips can make even the most immaculately presented room look tired and worn out, which is why it’s always a good idea to keep small pots of paint in the same colors you have decorated with on standby. You can purchase the same shades in small tins from your local decorating shop. Pick up a small roller while you’re there so you can touch up any scuff marks or chips, should the need arise.

This list is by no means exhaustive, but it's a good starting point for those looking to get set up.