10 Things You Need on Hand When Shopping at The Home Depot

10 Things You Need On Hand Things You Need On Hand When Shopping At When Shopping At The Home Depot

1. Tape Measure 1. Tape Measure Being able to quickly measure items in a store makes DIY life so much easier. This highly rated option available at Amazon is a top pick among Bob Vila's product testers. Being able to quickly measure items in a store makes DIY life so much easier. This highly rated option available at Amazon is a top pick among Bob Vila's product testers. Check out our other picks for the best tape measures you can buy. Check out our other picks for the best tape measures you can buy. *BobVila.com and its partners may earn a commission if you purchase a product through one of our links.

2. Trim Cut-off 2. Trim Cut-off Before heading to the store with just the length you’ll need, make sure to take a cut-off of the trim you want to match. Snapping a photo is helpful, but it may not capture enough depth and detail to ensure a perfect match. Before heading to the store with just the length you’ll need, make sure to take a cut-off of the trim you want to match. Snapping a photo is helpful, but it may not capture enough depth and detail to ensure a perfect match.

3. Hardware and Fasteners 3. Hardware and Fasteners If you have a knob or pull on hand that you like, you should be sure to take a sample with you to the store. The same goes with nails! If you have a knob or pull on hand that you like, you should be sure to take a sample with you to the store. The same goes with nails!

4. Paint Name or Sample 4. Paint Name or Sample If you order a few swatches online and live with the colors for a couple of days, it’s easier to make a decision and get exactly what you need when you are at the paint counter. If you order a few swatches online and live with the colors for a couple of days, it’s easier to make a decision and get exactly what you need when you are at the paint counter.

5. Dimensions of Walls for Paint 5. Dimensions of Walls for Paint There’s a simple way to figure it out: Just use the length and width of each surface (wall or ceiling) to find the area of each wall, and then total them up. There’s a simple way to figure it out: Just use the length and width of each surface (wall or ceiling) to find the area of each wall, and then total them up.

6. Stained Wood 6. Stained Wood It’s best to carry a cut-off of the stained wood you need to color-match to the store, and be sure that the stain will be applied to the same species of wood. It’s best to carry a cut-off of the stained wood you need to color-match to the store, and be sure that the stain will be applied to the same species of wood.

7. Weight of Wall Art (or Mirrors) 7. Weight of Wall Art (or Mirrors) Use a luggage scale to find the weight of the mirror or artwork, and then head to the store to buy hardware that’s appropriate for that weight. Use a luggage scale to find the weight of the mirror or artwork, and then head to the store to buy hardware that’s appropriate for that weight.

8. Dimensions of Appliances or Furniture 8. Dimensions of Appliances or Furniture For those who have been tempted to purchase finishes before fixtures, be sure to have information about all of the appliance sizes (length, width, height, door swing, etc.). For those who have been tempted to purchase finishes before fixtures, be sure to have information about all of the appliance sizes (length, width, height, door swing, etc.).

9. Project Calculator Results 9. Project Calculator Results Whether you’re laying tile, putting up drywall, or putting down mulch, it’s important to figure out how much of these materials you’ll need before you leave home. Whether you’re laying tile, putting up drywall, or putting down mulch, it’s important to figure out how much of these materials you’ll need before you leave home.

10. The Home Depot Mobile App 10. The Home Depot Mobile App The app’s Store Mode lets users know what’s in stock and where in the store it’s located, down to the aisle, shelf, and bin. The app’s Store Mode lets users know what’s in stock and where in the store it’s located, down to the aisle, shelf, and bin.

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