The 5 Tools Every Homeowner Should Actually Own (and the 5 They Probably Won’t Use)

The holidays are here — the season of cozy lights, nostalgic music, and giving gifts that hopefully don’t end up shoved in a junk drawer by Valentine’s Day.

If you’re shopping for a homeowner (or you are the homeowner dropping hints to Santa), tools can be a fantastic gift… when they’re the right tools.

Over at Handyman LKN, we see both sides of the toolbox:

- The tools that get used weekly

- And the tools that collect dust like they’re auditioning for a museum exhibit

So here it is — the Holiday Homeowner Tool Guide, featuring the 5 tools worth gifting…and the 5 that will likely become expensive paperweights.

The 5 Tools Every Homeowner Should Actually Own

1. A Quality Cordless Drill Driver

If homes had a “welcome kit,” this would be in it.

A cordless drill can assemble furniture, hang shelves, tighten cabinet hinges, and help you knock out half the random to-do list that appears out of nowhere the week before guests arrive.

Holiday bonus: Pair it with a small set of drill bits for a perfect practical gift.

2. A Stud Finder That Actually Works

Not the old one buried in a drawer since 1992.

A modern stud finder saves you from the holiday disaster of a TV crashing down during a Hallmark movie marathon.

3. A 25-Foot Tape Measure

Yes, 25 feet. Not 10. Not 16.

You’ll use it for everything: trees, garland, room layouts, hanging wall decor, measuring that new sofa you think will fit.

This is a tool every adult should own — like a toothbrush, but for your house.

4. A Multi-Bit Screwdriver

The Swiss Army knife of the toolbox.

You’ll use it weekly for tightening knobs, switch plates, furniture screws, and the mystery hardware that shows up in children’s toys on December 26th.

5. A Reliable Utility Knife

Opening shipping boxes? Cutting carpet? Scoring drywall? Opening the other boxes the kids forgot to label?

A sharp utility knife is one of the most underrated tools ever.

Just don’t leave it where your wrapping paper lives — it’s too tempting.

The 5 Tools Homeowners Rarely Use (But Keep Buying Anyway)

1. The “Futuristic Multi-Tool” That Tries to Do Everything and Masters Nothing

We love options, but the 29-in-1 gadgets usually break, jam, or never quite feel right.

They’re the fruitcake of tools. Someone always gifts one. Almost no one eats it.

2. Ultra-Specific Specialty Tools

Drywall corner trowels, tile spacers, crimping pliers…

They’re useful if you’re doing the project. But for most homeowners? They just look cool in the garage.

3. High-End Laser Levels

We love them… but 95% of homeowners will always reach for the tape measure and eyeball it anyway.

4. Giant Socket Sets With 198 Pieces

180 of those pieces will never leave the case.

That’s just the math.

5. The “Project You Plan to Start Someday” Toolbox

This includes:

– a full tile-cutting kit

– a brazing torch

– a grout saw

– an entire cabinet painting sprayer setup

If it requires a tutorial that’s longer than a Christmas movie, most homeowners won’t touch it.

So What Should You Gift This Year?

If you want to give a homeowner something they’ll use all year long, stick with the basics that make everyday fixes easier.

Simple. Reliable. Helpful.

And if you gift them the wrong thing?

Well… give Handyman LKN a call at (980) 494-3017 or click here to request a FREE quote on your next project!