Which safety gear is really necessary when renovating?

It's not really black and white - what you need really depends on the type of renovation. With drywall and sanding, you can't get around respiratory protection because the dust is absolutely brutal, and safety glasses should always be there so nothing flies into your eyes. Gloves are practical (your hands will thank you), but most people underestimate how important hearing protection is when drilling and sanding - your ears don't just forget that stuff. If you're working with chemicals or old materials, it gets more serious, but for standard renovations, glasses, a mask, and gloves are completely enough.