12 Pegboard Ideas to Help You Organize Anything

Pegboard needs about 1/2 in. of ‘standoff’ space behind it so the hooks can be inserted. Plastic and metal pegboard panels have this space built in, created by the L-shape flanges at the edges. But you can also create this standoff space in several ways:

• Install screw-in standoffs with spacers. The store-bought versions often have short screws with small heads and wimpy plastic spacers. Make your own using beefier washer-head screws and nuts for spacers. On larger panels, install standoffs in the center to maintain space and add support. Tip: Use hot-melt glue to hold these mid-panel spacers in place before you install the pegboard.
• Create a frame for the back of the panel using 1x2s or 1x3s. For panels wider than 3 ft., add a 1×2 rib to the back every 2 ft. to support the weight of the tools and take the flex out of the panel.

Some items won’t hang directly on pegboard hooks. But with a little ingenuity, you can make pegboard hooks hold just about anything on pegboard shelves. Here are three ideas on how to install pegboard that holds more:

• Hooks and 1/2-in. wood dowels organize wrapping paper—no more digging through a stack of unraveling rolls.
• Binder clips grab items that can’t hang on hooks. The clip shown here, for example, holds a canvas tool pouch.
• A section of PVC pipe slipped over a long hook is a great nook for skinny stuff: pencils, brushes, zip ties and more.

Most home centers carry only hardboard pegboard, but you’ll find other materials by searching online for ‘metal pegboard’ or ‘plastic pegboard.’

• Metal pegboard has 1/4-in. holes and L-shape edge flanges that create built-in standoffs. The panel sizes are normally in 16-in. and 24-in. increments. Metal pegboard has a cool industrial look and is darn near indestructible.
• Metal pegboard strips are ideal for situations where you need a single, sturdy strip of pegboard—like in the garage for hanging long-handled tools. The strips have 1/4-in. holes and built-in edge flanges for standoffs, and they’re outrageously sturdy.
• Plastic pegboard has 1/4-in. holes, folded edges to create standoffs and center ribs for rigidity. Many systems come with slide-in connectors for joining panels. It’s at least as sturdy as hardboard pegboard.

You can craft your own hooks using stuff from the hardware aisle. Clip the tips from No. 6 hollow wall anchors, drive them into 1/4-in. pegboard holes, then secure your custom tool holder by driving screws into the anchors. Short 5/16-in.-diameter lag bolts fit snugly into 1/4-in. holes to create inexpensive hangers for lightweight objects.

Most hardware stores and home centers carry standard pegboard hooks for basic hand tools, but specialized hangers are available too. The circular saw shelf, cordless drill holder, wire basket, bins and other doodads can help organize hard-to-hang tools. Search online for ‘pegboard’ followed by the type of hanger you’re looking for, such as ‘pegboard circular saw shelf.’

Standard pegboard hooks can accommodate most tools—but sometimes you need a special place for special stuff. Drill 1/4-in. holes in the backs of homemade shelves, then use those holes to slide the shelves over L-hooks. Or use cable staples to attach plywood shelves to standard pegboard shelf brackets. The staples allow you to slide the shelf back and forth so you can easily fit the shelf bracket ‘legs’ into the holes.

Most pegboard comes in two colors—boring white and boring brown. But it doesn’t have to stay that way. Roll on a coat of primer followed by gloss or semigloss paint (glossy paints are easier to wipe clean). Apply light coats so you don’t clog the holes. Then snazz it up with a frame. After we attached our pegboard to a 1×3 frame, we added corner blocks and trim with hot-melt glue—no fancy miter cuts or fasteners needed.

Pegboard is great for organizing kitchens, laundry rooms and bathroom cabinets. Using a rabbet bit, route a groove in a 1×2 frame, attach the pegboard with glue and brads, and mount it to the door. The frame helps support the edges of the pegboard and creates a 1/2-in. space behind the board so pegs can be inserted.

Here’s a tool storage technique for all those slender tools and shop accessories. Cut short lengths of PVC pipe (1-1/2-in. and 2-in.-dia. pipes work well for most items) and slide them over pegboard hooks. Then load them up with files, hacksaw blades, zip ties, pencils, stir sticks … you get the idea.

Here’s a slick way to store a whole cluster of tools on pegboard with only two pegs. Cut some 2-1/2 in. wide mini shelves; drill holes or slots for router bits, screwdrivers, chisels and files; then drill a couple of 1/8-in. holes in the edges for the 1/8-in. diameter pegs. With a vise and pliers, bend the pegs to about 85 degrees and hammer them into the holes. Be sure the pegs fit tightly in the wood so the shelves can’t fall off.