5 Tools Every Floor of Your House Needs
Posted on July 10th, 2025.
Living in a three-story home has taught me one of the most frustrating truths about home maintenance: the thing you need is always on a different floor than the thing you're trying to fix. After countless trips up and down stairs, and even more instances of just leaving something broken because I couldn't be bothered to trek to the basement workshop, I've identified five essential items that should live on every floor of your home.
These aren't expensive power tools or specialized gadgets. They're simple, versatile items that solve 80% of the small problems and projects that pop up in daily life. Here's why each one earns its place in your multi-floor toolkit.
1. A Black Sharpie
A classic black Sharpie isn't just for writing, it can handle problems you didn't even know you had.
Beyond the obvious uses (labeling storage boxes, writing notes), a Sharpie becomes invaluable for:
- Touch-up work: Covering scuffs on dark furniture, filling in scratches on black appliances, or hiding dings on picture frames
- Marking measurements: When you're hanging pictures or planning furniture placement, you can mark stud locations or measurement points directly on the wall
- Emergency repairs: Marking loose screws that need tightening, circling problem areas for later attention, or noting which breaker controls which outlet
- Weatherproofing labels: Unlike regular pens, Sharpie ink won't run if it gets wet, making it perfect for outdoor plant labels or marking tools that live in humid areas
2. Quality Scissors
Good scissors are like a Swiss Army knife in disguise. While you might think "I'll just use kitchen scissors," having a dedicated pair on each floor opens up possibilities you hadn't considered.
Unexpected uses that make them worth having nearby:
- Instant box opener: No more struggling with stubborn tape or trying to find a box cutter when packages arrive
- Electrical work: Cutting zip ties, trimming wire nuts, or shortening cable ties during quick tech setups
- Crafting and decorating: Trimming artificial flowers, cutting ribbon for gift wrapping, or snipping fabric for quick clothing repairs
- Gardening tasks: Deadheading flowers, cutting fresh herbs, or trimming small branches near windows
- Emergency situations: Cutting bandages to size, trimming tape for temporary repairs, or freeing tangled items
3. A Reliable Lighter
Having fire readily available might seem old-fashioned, but it's surprisingly practical in modern homes.
Creative applications beyond lighting candles:
- Heat-shrink repairs: Gently heating frayed rope, shoelaces, or fabric edges to prevent further unraveling
- Emergency situations: Sterilizing small tools, melting the end of a plastic bag to seal it, or providing light during power outages
- Removing stickers: Warming stubborn adhesive makes labels and price tags peel off cleanly
- Loosening stubborn screws: Heating metal screws that are stuck due to paint, rust, or thread locker makes them much easier to remove
4. Compact Screwdriver Set
A small screwdriver set with 4-8 common bits handles about 90% of the screwdriver tasks you'll encounter around the house. This isn't about major projects, it's about those small adjustments that keep life running smoothly.
Daily scenarios where you'll appreciate having these nearby:
- Furniture maintenance: Tightening loose cabinet handles, adjusting drawer pulls, or fixing wobbly table legs
- Electronics and appliances: Replacing remote control batteries, adjusting thermostat settings, or tightening loose outlet covers
- Seasonal tasks: Adjusting blinds, tightening curtain rods, or securing window screens
- Quick fixes: Reattaching cabinet doors, adjusting door hinges, or tightening loose screws on banisters
- Tech setup: Mounting small devices, adjusting TV mounts, or securing cable management
5. Tape Measure
A 16-foot tape measure might seem excessive for every floor, but you'll use it far more than you expect. It's the difference between confidently making decisions and constantly second-guessing yourself.
Situations where having one nearby saves time and frustration:
- Furniture shopping: Measuring spaces before buying, checking if that bookshelf will fit in the alcove, or confirming a desk will work in the corner
- Decorating decisions: Spacing picture frames evenly, centering artwork on walls, or determining optimal furniture placement
- Storage solutions: Measuring closet spaces, determining if storage bins will fit, or planning organization systems
- Quick project planning: Checking if materials will fit through doorways, measuring for temporary solutions, or estimating material needs
- Online shopping: Verifying dimensions of items before ordering, especially furniture and home goods
The Bottom Line
These five items won't replace your main toolkit for serious projects, but they'll handle the majority of small tasks that come up in daily life. More importantly, they'll turn you from someone who notices problems but puts off fixing them into someone who takes care of things immediately.
The initial investment is minimal, probably under $50 for all five items per floor. The time saved and frustration avoided? Priceless. Your future self will thank you the next time you need to make a quick measurement or tighten a loose screw without hiking to the basement.
Start with one floor and see how often you reach for these items. I guarantee you'll be outfitting the other floors within a month.
