I hope everyone has enjoyed taking a break and being lazy during the holiday season like I have! But now that we're well into January, it's time to get back to the swing of things.

Hopefully you've decided to make some improvements around your house throughout the year, whether they're big or small. Anything is better than nothing!

I thought it would be a good idea to go over the basics of home improvement, maintenance, and DIY projects just to get reacquainted with the best methods and tools for whatever job you choose to undertake!

There are a few tools that everyone should have around the house:

- Hammer. This doesn't really require an explanation. You will undoubtedly have something you need to use a hammer for, whether it's hanging something or repairing something. Just make sure you have one!

- Flat head screwdriver. This is one of the most commonly used screw drivers, so it would be extremely helpful to have one.

- Phillips head screwdriver. This one is even more common than the flat head. I would bet money that you will need a Phillips head at some point in the year.

- Box Cutter, Xacto Knife, Straight Razors. These items serve multiple purposes from cutting materials to scraping paint off of windows.

- Wrenches of all sizes. Again, no explanation is really necessary. Wrenches can help you out of any tight situations.

- Needle nosed pliers. These are good for detail work, as well as cutting wires if the need ever arises.

- Duct tape. Also known as the miracle worker. Duct tape has saved me many times and has more uses than any other material known to man. Okay, maybe I'm exaggerating, but it is really handy to have around!

These are just a few basics that I've learned to always have on hand. What would be on your list of basics?