First Apartment Tool Kit: 18 Tools Every Renter Needs (+ Checklist)
Your first apartment comes with a key, a lease and a flat pack bed in a box. It does not come with a screwdriver, and you will need one before the first night.
This guide lists the 18 tools every first apartment needs, split into nine essentials, five worth adding and four renter extras that help you get your deposit back. Use the checklist to see what you are missing.
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First Apartment Tool Checklist
First Apartment Tool Checklist
Tick what you already own. The checklist remembers your answers on this device and shows what to buy next.
Should You Buy a Kit or Separate Tools?
A boxed kit is the fastest way to cover the basics. The STANLEY 65 piece home tool kit includes a hammer, screwdrivers, pliers, a socket set and a tape measure in one hard case that fits in a closet.
Buying separately costs a little more but gets you better versions of the tools you use most. Our advice: start with a kit if your toolbox is empty, then upgrade the screwdriver and tape measure first, because you will use those every week.
| Option | Good for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Boxed starter kit | An empty toolbox and a tight move in budget | Very cheap kits with soft screwdriver tips |
| Separate hand tools | Picking quality where it matters | Takes longer to build up |
| Kit plus a compact drill | Lots of flat pack furniture and shelves | Check your lease rules on drilling |
The 9 Essentials
1. A Multi Bit Screwdriver
You will use a screwdriver more than every other tool combined. The Klein 11-in-1 packs Phillips, flat, square and Torx bits plus two nut drivers into one handle, so you are not hunting for the right size.
- 11 tools in one handle
- Covers furniture, outlet covers and battery doors
- Lives in a kitchen drawer
Best for: Everyone. If you buy one tool, buy this.
2. A 16 oz Claw Hammer
For picture nails, tapping furniture dowels into place and pulling out nails the last tenant left behind. A 16 oz head is heavy enough to work but light enough to control.
- 16 oz is the all round weight
- A fiberglass or steel handle with a rubber grip absorbs shock
- Curved claw for pulling nails
Best for: Hanging pictures and assembling furniture.
3. A 25 ft Tape Measure
Measure before you buy anything big. Doorways, stairwells and lift doors decide whether that sofa gets into your apartment at all.
- 25 to 26 ft covers any room
- A wide blade stays straight when you reach across a room
- Belt clip and a locking button
Best for: Furniture shopping, curtains and rugs.
4. A Folding Utility Knife
Moving week means dozens of taped boxes. A folding knife with a locking blade is faster and safer than kitchen scissors.
- One handed opening
- Stores a spare blade in the handle
- Folds closed so it is safe in a drawer
Best for: Moving day and every delivery after it.
5. Slip Joint and Needle Nose Pliers
Pliers grip what fingers cannot: a stuck nut, a bent hanger, a loose cabinet hinge pin. A small two or three piece set covers most needs.
- Slip joint pliers for gripping
- Needle nose for tight spots and small parts
- Cushioned handles
Best for: Small fixes and furniture hardware.
6. A Hex Key (Allen) Set
Flat pack furniture ships with one tiny hex key that strips or vanishes. A full set in both metric and SAE sizes saves a lot of frustration.
- Metric and SAE sizes
- Ball end keys work at an angle
- A holder keeps them together
Best for: Bed frames, desks and office chairs.
7. A Torpedo Level
A small 9 inch level fits in a drawer and makes shelves and picture rows straight. Phone level apps work in a pinch, but a real level is easier to hold against the wall.
- 9 inch length
- Magnetic edge sticks to metal
- Level and plumb vials
Best for: Shelves, frames and TV mounts.
8. A Flange Plunger
Not a fun purchase, but you want one before you need one. A flange plunger has a soft extension that seals in the toilet drain, so it works far better than a flat cup.
- Flange design for toilets
- Comes with a holder for under the sink area
- Cheap insurance
Best for: Every bathroom.
9. A Headlamp or Flashlight
Power cuts, a dark sink cabinet or a dropped earring behind the fridge. A rechargeable headlamp leaves both hands free.
- Rechargeable, no batteries to buy
- Hands free
- Doubles as an emergency light
Best for: Under sink jobs and power cuts.
5 Tools Worth Adding
These are not day one tools, but they turn a 40 minute job into a 5 minute one. Add them as the jobs come up.
10. A Compact Cordless Drill
A drill drives screws in seconds and makes clean holes for anchors and curtain rods. The DEWALT 20V MAX XR kit is light, comes with two batteries and works for years.
- Drill driver with two batteries and a charger
- Compact and light for overhead work
- Batteries fit other DEWALT 20V tools
Best for: Lots of furniture, shelves or curtain rods. Learn the basics in our impact driver vs drill guide.
11. A Stud Finder
Heavy things belong on studs. The Franklin ProSensor M210 lights up the whole width of a stud, so you drill once in the right place.
- 13 sensors show the full stud
- Finds wood and metal studs
- Warns of live AC wires
Best for: TV mounts, heavy mirrors and shelves. See our best stud finders guide.
12. A Folding Step Stool
Standing on a kitchen chair to change a bulb is how people get hurt. A folding step stool tucks behind a door.
- Wide anti slip steps
- Folds flat
- Reaches smoke alarms and top cupboards
Best for: Every apartment, especially with high ceilings.
13. A Drain Snake
A slow shower drain is almost always hair. A 25 ft hand auger clears it in minutes, and you avoid waiting days for maintenance.
- 25 ft flexible cable
- Hand crank or drill powered
- Works on sinks, tubs and showers
Best for: Long hair households. Check your lease first, since some landlords prefer to handle plumbing.
14. An Adjustable Wrench
One adjustable wrench replaces a whole set for the odd nut you meet in an apartment, like a loose faucet supply line or a wobbly bed bolt.
- 8 inch size fits most home nuts
- Wide jaw opening
- Fits in the same drawer as your screwdriver
Best for: Furniture bolts and simple plumbing nuts.
4 Renter Extras
Renting changes the rules. These four items let you hang, power and fix things without losing part of your deposit.
15. Damage Free Hanging Strips
Adhesive strips hold frames, hooks and light shelves without a single nail hole. Follow the weight rating on the pack and press for 30 seconds.
- No holes to patch later
- Remove cleanly by pulling the tab straight down
- Weight ratings printed on every pack
Best for: Art, mirrors under the rated weight and kitchen hooks.
16. A Wall Repair Kit
Small nail holes are the most common deposit deduction, and they take minutes to fix. A tub of spackle and a putty knife hides them before inspection.
- Lightweight spackle dries fast
- Putty knife for a smooth finish
- Sanding pad for touch ups
Best for: Move out week. Patch, let it dry, then touch up with matching paint if you have it.
17. A Drywall Anchor Kit
No stud where you need a shelf? Anchors spread the load in hollow drywall. An assortment kit gives you the right size for each job.
- Mixed sizes with matching screws
- Self drilling types need no pilot hole
- Check the weight rating for each size
Best for: Shelves and curtain rods between studs.
18. A Surge Protector Power Strip
Older apartments rarely have enough outlets in the right places. A surge protector adds outlets and helps protect a TV or laptop from power spikes.
- Look for a joule rating and a safety listing such as UL
- Do not chain one strip into another
- Keep heaters and kettles on a wall outlet
Best for: Desks, TV stands and kitchen counters.
Tools That Protect Your Deposit
- Photograph every wall on move in day. Date stamped photos settle arguments about holes that were already there.
- Use strips for light items. Frames, hooks and small decor do not need nails.
- Use a stud or an anchor for heavy items. A shelf that pulls out of drywall leaves a much bigger repair.
- Patch before inspection. Fill holes with spackle, let it dry, sand lightly and touch up.
- Keep every part. Put the original blinds, shelves and hardware you removed in a labelled bag.
Where to Keep It All
Small apartments do not have a garage. A soft tool bag or a single drawer is enough for every tool on this list except the step stool and drill.
Keep the screwdriver, tape measure, knife and headlamp together in one kitchen drawer. They are the four you will grab most, and you will always know where they are.
How we pick: Tool Expert Reviews builds these guides from manufacturer specs, trade reviews and verified owner feedback. Prices change daily, so check the current price on Amazon.
Frequently Asked Questions
What tools do I need for my first apartment?
Start with a multi bit screwdriver, a hammer, a tape measure, a utility knife, pliers, a hex key set, a small level, a plunger and a flashlight. Add a cordless drill, stud finder and step stool as jobs come up.
Is a tool kit worth it for a first apartment?
Yes, if your toolbox is empty. A good 60 to 70 piece kit covers the basics in one case. Avoid very cheap kits with soft screwdriver tips that strip screws.
Do renters need a drill?
Not on day one, but a compact cordless drill makes furniture, anchors and curtain rods much faster. Check your lease first, since some landlords limit drilling.
How do I hang things in an apartment without nails?
Use adhesive hanging strips for light frames and hooks, and follow the weight rating on the pack. Heavy items need a stud or proper drywall anchors.
How do I fix nail holes before moving out?
Fill each hole with lightweight spackle using a putty knife, let it dry, sand it smooth and touch up with matching paint. Small holes take a few minutes each.
