Being handy with minor repairs is a skill that benefits any homeowner. Whether it's tightening a door knob or hanging a picture frame there are certain jobs that you don't want to waste time calling someone to help you do. Furthermore, basic maintenance in the home can save you money on repairs. If you're not the do-it-yourself type who dreams of a garage full of every type of power tool there is, fear not. Today we'll show you the essential homeowner's toolbox that contains everything you need to make quick fixes without taking up much room in your cabinet. 1. Tape Measure From measuring a space to fit furniture in to measuring your child's height against the wall, a tape measure will come in handy often. When shopping for tape measures keep in mind that you'll only need one as long as you pick one that's long enough to stretch across the rooms of your home. 2. Hammer and nails There is an endless variety of hammers to choose from. For simple home repairs or hanging things on your wall, you'll only need a simple nail hammer. This is really a two-in-one as it serves as a pry bar if you need to remove any nails as well. For your small toolkit you don't want a huge box of nails. Buy a small box with assorted sizes. The ones you're most likely to use are small or pin-sized nails for hanging picture frames. 3. Level Your hammer and nails won't be much use if you can't hang your picture straight. 4. Duct and electrical tape So you've got a broken broom handle and want to sweep out the house. It isn't the prettiest fix, but duct tape will save you until you have time to get to the store for a new broom. Duct tape has innumerable uses and if you use enough it will hold. Electrical tape should be used for things like live wires or items that are battery powered. This type of tape is an electrical insulator, so you won't get zapped if you use it properly. 5. Screwdriver set To save space in your toolbox buy a handle with detachable bits that suit any occasion. You won't have to worry about whether to buy a phillips head or flathead because you'll have all that and much more. 6. Utility knife A utility knife with replaceable blades will serve you well whether it's trimming a piece of carpet, cutting wrapping paper, or breaking down cardboard boxes. 7. Wind-up flashlight Chances are if you need a flashlight you just use the built-in one on your cell phone. But if the power goes out and you haven't changed the battery in your flashlight for five years you might be out of luck. Wind-up flashlights are battery-free and relatively inexpensive. 8. Pliers  A small set of pliers will fit nicely in your toolbox and will eventually come in handy. Needle-nose pliers are great for bending small objects and often come with a wire cutter included; another two-for-one space saver. 9. Adjustable wrench Whether it's a loose bolt on a lawn chair or a dead spark plug on your lawn mower, you'll need an adjustable wrench to make the fix. 10. Zip ties  Slightly more elegant and less messy than grouping your cables together with tape is connecting them with zip ties. They're handy because they're easy to put on, quite sturdy, and can be removed with one snip of your scissors.