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We’ve all experienced unforeseen changes this year, including spending a lot more time at home than we used to. While the confinement might chafe at times, many of us are making the most of it and using that extra time around the house to make small improvements.

A recent survey by home services marketplace Porch found that 76% of all homeowners in the US have carried out at least one home improvement project in the past year. Chief among the reasons given for a renewed interest in home improvement was “finally having the time.”

Having the time is one part of the solution, but having the tools to carry out repairs or upgrades is another. The home improvement trend is likely to continue, and with the holidays approaching, small essential tools would make great gifts for many newly housebound folks who have the time, but not the hardware.

Small essential tools would make great gifts for many newly housebound folks who have the time, but not the hardware. (iStock)

Small essential tools would make great gifts for many newly housebound folks who have the time, but not the hardware. (iStock)

Small essential tools would make great gifts for many newly housebound folks who have the time, but not the hardware. (iStock)

Small essential tools would make great gifts for many newly housebound folks who have the time, but not the hardware. (iStock)

Here are five essential tools to have around the home for both basic repair and maintenance, as well as beginner-level improvement projects. While specific projects may require specialized tools, those listed here are part of a good basic set that homeowners — or inspired condo or apartment dwellers — will rely on again and again.

1. Quality Tape MeasureMeasure twice, cut once is standard advice, but you need to make sure your measurements are accurate every time. Almost every project requires precise measurements, from something as simple as hanging a picture to more advanced remodeling efforts.

A good-quality tape measure in a standard 25-foot length may be the most used tool in any toolkit and will cover a wide range of repair and home improvement project needs. Available in a range of prices from $5 to $25 or more, better brands will feature a blade coated with nylon or acrylic to prevent wear and tear.

If you don’t mind spending a little more, consider a digital tape measure, which generally will feature memory functions useful for storing measurements when you don’t have a hand free to write them down.

2. PliersGreat for turning stubborn nuts and essential for plumbing projects, a good pair of pliers quickly becomes indispensable around the house.

Kenny Martinez at Altadena Hardware specified Channellock-style pliers with wide adjustable jaws. “A good pair of Channellock pliers will help you with any kind of do-it-yourself plumbing. They’re a must-have, and you’ll want to be sure they’re long enough to provide decent leverage.”

You’ll want something with adjustable width, tongue-and-groove jaws. Choose steel construction over more economical aluminum, and ensure the pliers you choose have rubber or nylon grips — ideally contoured — and fit well in your hand. If you have the budget or want to cover all your bases, there are a variety of sets available that include smaller utility tools like needle- or long-nose pliers for more specific applications.

3. Claw HammerThe iconic claw hammer features a flat hammerhead used for driving nails or general pounding and flattening on one end and a tapered blade with a V-shaped notch that forms the claw on the opposite end.

The claw can be used to extract nails from wood or other surfaces — use a thin piece of wood or cloth as a barrier between the metal of the hammer and the surface you’re working with to guard against damage — but will also come in handy for prying up decorative molding, floorboards, tile flooring, or larger projects like removing old cabinets or bathroom vanities.

You’ll want to opt for steel construction in a standard 16-ounce weight (if you find that too heavy, lighter 12-ounce claw hammers are also available), with a comfortable molded rubber or vinyl grip that provides some shock absorption. Always practice caution when driving nails — hammer-bruised fingers are the most common home improvement related injury.

4. Utility KnifeTea Gutierrez at Riverside Ace Hardware stressed the importance of a good utility knife: “It’s one of those things you don’t think you need, but you do.”

Utility knives come in various designs with fixed and retractable blade options being the most common, though folding blade models are also available. “You’ll want something where you can easily change the blade when it gets dull or a retractable blade which is segmented so you can snap it off.”

Though it isn’t on our list, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to pair a utility knife with a good pair of puncture-resistant work gloves to avoid accidental injury.

5. Cordless Drill driverAfter your tape measure, your cordless drill will be your go-to tool more often than you may realize.

“Your standard brands are all good bets,” said John Baccarella at Van’s Hardware in Long Beach, “though some have batteries that are interchangeable with other tools made by that manufacturer, so if you already own a cordless tool or are thinking of buying several, that’s something to consider.”

Cordless drills double as power screwdrivers, and many come with an assortment of driving bits in flat, Philips, and specialty heads. Though they’ve gotten much smaller, lighter, and affordable in recent years, “You don’t want to go with anything less than an 18-volt drill. The 12-volt models generally just don’t provide enough torque for some jobs,” said Baccarella.

While a small set of handheld screwdrivers can also get the job done, you can get the ease and convenience of a cordless power tool for only a little more than the price of a quality set of manual tools, and with many more time- and labor-saving applications. With the various attachments available for cordless drills (as well as a wide variety of drill bits), a cordless drill is a versatile addition to any growing toolkit, and useful for much more than just assembling flat-pack furniture or drilling pilot holes.

Of course, these are starter tools — more specialized (and expensive) tools may be necessary for larger projects — but a small tool kit made up of items from this list would be more than sufficient to tackle a wide variety of small projects.

If you’re looking for stocking stuffers for a loved one with a recently discovered passion for home improvement, things like work gloves or a variety of small fasteners (you can find kits containing everything from finishing nails to sheet metal screws for usually under $5) would be a safe bet. Tools make fantastic gift — they can be inspiring and even empowering, and every time someone uses a tool they’ve received as a gift, they’ll remember the thoughtfulness of its giver.

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