18 Rooms Made Better With Pegboard
A grid of tiny holes punched in hardboard can be your versatile best friend in every room
Catherine Smith
May 12, 2016
Houzz New Zealand Contributor. A design addict from way back, I can't resist looking at other people's houses. And doing a tiny bit of styling and decluttering. Just a tiny bit.
Houzz New Zealand Contributor. A design addict from way back, I can't resist looking... More
Remember Grandpa’s garden shed with those neat rows of tools hanging on pegboard? Pure bliss for every organizing freak. Thank goodness pegboard has come out of the backyard and into the foreground of the home. Inside or outside, a new verb is on the rise: pegboarding. Here’s where to make it work.
1. Workshop. Pegboard is a staple of the old-school garage. Younger generations are funking up this classic idea with some groovy colors. Think pink, which is having a modern moment. It just might make you feel more creative and inspire great things.
2. Garage. Try pegboarding on a bigger scale in the rest of the garage. Cover an entire wall in pegboard, add hooks, and you have instant order.
Tip: If your brooms and rakes don’t have ready-made loops, drill a hole in the handles and thread in cord to hang them from the hooks.
Tip: If your brooms and rakes don’t have ready-made loops, drill a hole in the handles and thread in cord to hang them from the hooks.
3. Utility room. Keep up the good work in the laundry or utility room. Hanging brooms, mops and cleaning paraphernalia makes them much easier to grab for cleanups.
And yes, copy Grandpa: Outline and name where every item lives, so other members of the household will learn to put things back in their proper places. Maybe.
And yes, copy Grandpa: Outline and name where every item lives, so other members of the household will learn to put things back in their proper places. Maybe.
4. Mudroom. With pegboard, you can create the mudroom you’ve always wanted. There are new, cool and rather expensive large-scale boards around that take dowels. But you can make your own on a piece of plywood or MDF with the right-sized drill bit, a length of dowel and a steady hand. Try different lengths of rods, add shelves (they’re not that sturdy, so don’t use for breakables), and you’ll never misplace the dog’s leash again.
5. Kitchen. Julia Child’s husband, Paul, created a pegboard kitchen wall for her in the 1950s. (You can see it at the Smithsonian, complete with copper pans.) It’s been imitated by countless cooks, for good reason. It makes the most of a tiny space, makes it easy to grab the pot you need, and stops cooks from damaging items by stuffing them in a drawer. And even without all the copper pans, it looks gorgeous.
6. Drawers. If you like drawers in the kitchen, pegboard still has its place. Kitchen suppliers now offer pegboard drawer liners. Move the pegs to snugly fit around plates and pans so they don’t slide around when the drawer is opened and closed.
7. Wine rack. There’s even a pegboard creation for wine bottles these days. This Stact system uses aluminum rods on wood panels. (If you want to experiment, it might be best not to practice with your finest wines.)
8. Living room. A wall of beautiful wood veneer drilled with holes is a style statement in itself — a nod to midcentury modernism. Hang artwork or clocks on it, or just admire the rhythm of the pattern.
9. Crafts. A design studio or craft room begs for pegboard. Run a full-length panel all the way to the ceiling to hold long tools. Clip fabric samples or drawings with bulldog clips so they don’t get crumpled or lost.
10. Closet. If your work space is no more than a tiny cupboard, line the door panels with pegboard to hang baskets for notions, tools and inspiration. Use deep, curved hooks (rather than flat, L-shaped ones) so items don’t slip off when you open and close the doors.
11. Playroom. Start them young by hanging toys where small fingers can reach them. Organized toy storage teaches kids the good habit of putting things away when they’ve finished playing. Plus it looks awfully cute. Even soft toys can hang from their tags; or tie on a pretty ribbon to slide over the hook.
12. Desk space. As they get older, kids’ collections tend to multiply. A pegboard over the desk corrals displays and can be moved about as interests change or acquisitions grow. Have fun sticking to a color scheme so displays don’t get too chaotic.
13. Homework. For older students, tuck a section of pegboard into a quiet study corner. Assignments or clipboards can be hung off hooks, keeping the desk free and acting as a visual reminder of projects due.
14. Walls. You’ll never lose another plastic toy again when it’s off the floor and on the wall. Any small (or big) person could have a huge amount of fun rearranging characters and creating scenarios.
15. More walls. Pegboard doesn’t always have to mean holes. Evros Agathou, who designed this colorful family house in London, made a reverse pegboard — starting with a Lego wall. Who could resist? No more late-night cries of pain after stepping on a Lego brick. This idea turns post-play cleanup into a game itself.
16. Bedside. Create a headboard out of pegboard and hang all those tiny treasures that might otherwise get lost in a nightstand drawer. Hooks can even hold a reading lamp.
Tip: Use a cooler LED bulb, and hang the fixture where it won’t burn the pillow.
Browse more organizing stories
Tip: Use a cooler LED bulb, and hang the fixture where it won’t burn the pillow.
Browse more organizing stories
17. Dressing room. Tuck a sliver of pegboard beside your mirror to hang delicate jewelry such as necklaces, bracelets, earrings and other accessories. (Or install some on the inside of your closet door.) You’ll wear your pieces more often if you can see them on display.
18. Whole hog. What the heck, why not cover the entire room? This meeting space at Kellogg’s head office in Sydney was designed by TomMarkHenry to inspire creative thinking.
Tell us: What have we missed? Show us photos in the Comments of your most creative uses of pegboard.
Tell us: What have we missed? Show us photos in the Comments of your most creative uses of pegboard.
Related Stories
More Rooms
25 Hidden Doors and Secret Spaces
Sneak ideas from pantries, playrooms and other spaces concealed behind bookcases and camouflaged doors
Full Story
Outdoor Accessories
25 Stylish Ways to Improve Your Outdoor Storage
Built-in cabinets, hidden drawers and multiuse nooks help stash outdoor stuff and can enhance a yard’s design
Full Story
Most Popular
Organizing? Don’t Forget the Essential First Step
Simplify the process of getting your home in order by taking it one step at a time. Here’s how to get on the right path
Full Story
Homes Around the World
14 Clever Storage Solutions From Best of Houzz Winners
By Houzz
We need storage space in every room, but can it be both practical and attractive? Our pros show you how
Full Story
Working With Pros
Everything You Need to Know About Hiring a Cabinetmaker
By Cheryl F
Pros share advice on when to hire a cabinetmaker and what to know about choosing one
Full Story
Garages
Key Measurements for the Perfect Garage
Get the dimensions that will let you fit one or more cars in your garage, plus storage and other needs
Full Story
Organizing
Pegboard Gets a Stylish Upgrade
See 25 modern takes on the classic organizational system that add style and function throughout the home
Full Story
Organizing
How a Pro Organizer Improved Her Own Home’s Storage
New kitchen drawers, an upgraded laundry workspace and extra garage storage create a more functional, organized space
Full Story
Organizing
How to Organize Your Garage on Nearly Any Budget
Control the clutter in your garage with ideas that address your storage needs and work with your budget
Full Story
Photo Flip
20 Ingenious Wine Storage Areas Under the Stairs
Get your creative juices flowing with these ideas for wine racks and rooms built in spaces under stairs
Full Story
oh, that's so cute, good to know you guys are here, thanks Chart Noticeboards.
Excellent ideas, thank you!
Thanks for sharing! I did a nerf gun wall for my son, with some instructions. Blog link below - http://customryanhomesvenice.blogspot.com/2017/01/nerf-gun-wall.html