It would allow standard definitions for items not in the current inventory lists.  For example, a hatchet or hunting knife.  These are not really weapons (but could be used as one in an emergency).  This would also span into other more mundane utility items (Pencils, string, ....).

We don’t know how long it’s likely to be before we get any capacity to create non-magical equipment. But this might help in the meantime:

A hatchet or hunting knife would likely fall under the rules for improvised weapons and use the handaxe and dagger stats as weapons.

https://www.dndbeyond.com/sources/basic-rules/equipment#ImprovisedWeapons 

String exists already. Pencils were a later invention, previously people just used charcoal. (People still do in fact.) For something like that I would possibly use chalk (1 Piece) and change the name to “charcoal (I piece),” but that’s something they could get from any and every campfire ever so I might not even bother.

And remember, you can literally add custom items to your inventory and custom actions. You can, on an ad hoc basis, create almost anything you need.

Yes - but the idea is to have something that is semi-standardized.  Homebrews are the right idea, they just need to be expanded to use for standard equipment.  What I listed were just some obvious examples of gaps in the existing lists, but there are many more.

Custom mundane gear is something that's on the teams radar, so don't worry, they're clued in as to the desire from the community for it.