We’ve been mulling the idea of using a pegboard on the inside of a tool closet door, the cleaning closet door (to hang mops, brooms, vacuum cleaner hose) and perhaps even in a walk-in clothes closet where it would be useful for hanging jewelry for jewelry, belts etc. We can’t stop thinking about Julia Child’s famous kitchen (you can take a virtual tour of the Smithsonian’s re-creation of it) with it’s charming/homely blue pegboard that hung many of her copper pots and tools. When painted, a pegboard’s polka dot grid can make a pleasing visual, witness the non-utilitarian pegboard headboard we posted a while back.

As is happening more and more, as soon as we started thinking out our options, an answer appeared. This one came as a great how-to found in Kate Payne’s Hip Girl’s Guide to Homemaking. She takes you through hanging up a kitchen pegboard step-by-step, and has some indispensable lessons learned.

marthastewartliving.com

blog.homes.com

Some essentials to keep in mind:

There is pegboard and then there is pegboard. Ordinary pegboard is made from particle board, which is easily worn and damaged. Try and find 1/4″ tempered hardboard  which is available at many lumber yards in 4′ x 8′ sheets for around $20. Amazon sells 48-by-24 kit with a basic pack of hooks and mounting hardware (see below) as well as two-sheet packs.

OR if the sizing is right you can also use metal pegboard, which has the added advantage of being able to use magnets with it.

You can find hooks at most home stores; here’s a great starter pack.

The pegboard needs to stand off the wall at least 5/8- 3/4 of an inch; you can use a spacer or frame a rectangle of 1/2″ or 3/4″ wood strips.

Pegboard is easy to paint: prime it if it isn’t already, then apply a thin coat taking care not to blob paint in the holes.

Related posts: d-i-y pegboard headboard
pascal anson on (cheap) kitchen cabinets
swell rigged kitchen island on sawhorses
rethinking a dish rack
hacking a kitchen island + sally on splendid table

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One thought on “pegboard 101: for tools, jewelry and beyond

  1. This just in, for those who don’t like the look of pegboard: No-Sho Pegboard. It’s pegboard with patterns like granite or camouflage that obscure the holes. http://www.noshopegboard.com/index.html —— with thanks to Jeanne at calligraphica.squarespace.com.

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