The small home tools worth owning before you need them

A useful home toolkit is not a box of every possible gadget. It is a small group of reliable tools that remove friction from ordinary jobs.

Start with a tape measure, a set of screwdrivers, a claw hammer, pliers, a spirit level and a sharp utility knife. Add wall plugs only after learning what your walls are made of.

Store the kit where you can reach it without unpacking a cupboard. The best tool is the one you can find before a tiny job becomes a weekend project.