Art Studio: 16 Pegboard Organizing Tips
I’m moving into a new art studio in a few weeks and it’s very small. So, I need to figure out some creative storage solutions for my bookbinding and art supplies. I plan to use some pegboards for vertical storage and I thought I’d share some pegboard benefits and tips I’ve learned so far:
Benefits of Pegboards
- Reduces clutter on our work surfaces
- Tools are easily accessible (better than rummaging in a drawer)
- Great for visual people and let’s face it, most artists are visual people
- It’s inexpensive
- It can be cut to any size you need
- Great way to personalize a space
Tips for Using Pegboard
1. Attach strips of wood to your walls and create a framework for hanging your pegboard. For full instructions, check out this DIY Network photo tutorial.
2. If you don’t have a lot of wall space, attach your pegboard to the back of a door. A solid wood door would be the best choice, especially if you plan to hang heavy items on the board.
3. Bring some color into your space by painting your pegboard. This is a great option if you rent your apartment or studio and you’re not allowed to paint the walls. When you want to freshen up the place, paint the pegboard a new color.
Photo sources: Better Homes & Gardens (left), Just Between Friends (right)
4. Pegboard isn’t just made from wood. For a sleek, modern look, use acrylic pegboard and accessories, or create an industrial feel with metal pegboard. For a lightweight option, you can buy plastic pegboard.
Photo sources: Alkemie (left), Better Homes & Gardens (right)
5. Cover an entire wall with pegboard. Install a large piece behind your desk – like a back splash in a kitchen or bathroom.
6. Customize your pegboard by stenciling on a design.
Photo sources: Organizing Made Fun (left), Beneath My Heart (right)
7. Once your board is securely mounted to the wall, add a faux frame. For a touch of elegance, use a gold frame or for a whimsical feel, add a brightly painted frame.
8. Place a piece of scrap wood on a pair of double straight hooks to create a small shelf.
Photo Source: Decorate My Life
9. Use your pegboard as an art gallery or inspiration board. Attach bulldog clips to your latest works or inspiration pieces and hang them onto hooks.
10. You can even store fabric on your pegboard – fold fabric into neat squares or use fat quarters, hold in place with bulldog clips and hang onto the pegboard. This is perfect for planning your next quilting project.
Photo sources: Bright, Bold & Beautiful (left), Fynes Designs via Craftaholics Anonymous (right)
11. Attach three pieces of large pegboard together with hinges to create a tri-fold pegboard screen and use it as a room divider.
12. Group like items together to make your tools easier to find and always return the tool to the same place – this will streamline your work process.
Photo source: Honey Bear Lane
13. Hang a clipboard for notes and to-do lists.
14. Place a wooden dowel on two large J-hooks and hang spools of ribbon and rolls of washi tape on it.
15. Decorate tin cans from the recycling bin, punch a hole in the side and hang from hooks on your pegboard.
Photo sources: Faith’s Place (left), Titlee Le Blog (right)
16. Look for unique pegboard accessories – Target sells small buckets and baskets in their $1 section, companies that sell retail displays, such as KC Store Fixtures, have some cool things too, and the dollar store is always a great place for small storage items.
Photo sources: The 36th Avenue (left), She Sure is Sketchy (right)
Do you have any more pegboard ideas to share? I’d love to hear them – leave comments and links below.
June 21, 2014 @ 5:10 pm
Beautiful post! I’ve been thinking about adding a pegboard to my work space and this definitely game me some ideas. Pegboards are more versatile than I thought.
September 18, 2014 @ 1:44 am
I’m getting ready to downsize so this sounds like a really good idea. Thanks for sharing. I ALWAYS forget about these things! Thanks!!
December 10, 2014 @ 7:54 am
How do you recommend hanging the tread holder?
March 6, 2017 @ 12:41 pm
I HUNG MINE WITH THE SHORT STANDARD HOOKS MADE FOR THE PEG BOARD PURCHASED AT WALMART…MANUFACTURED BY BULLDOG, PO-95, LIGHTWEIGHT PEG HOOKS, 2″ FITS 1/4″ OR 1/8″PEG HOLES, 4/PKG. THESE HAVE A RED PLASTIC COVER ON THE ENDS. I HOPE THIS HELPS..WITH THIS SAID, IM ASSUMING YOU MEAN THE WOODEN TIERED THREAD HOLDERS…
Office Reveal | Eat, Drink, Glam
January 7, 2015 @ 12:51 pm
[…] great so we didn’t have to worry about painting it. We then used a combo of directions from this site & this site to actually hang the pegboard. Once the board was up I was all about getting it […]
Multipurpose Room Reveal | Eat, Drink, Glam
January 7, 2015 @ 1:28 pm
[…] great so we didn’t have to worry about painting it. We then used a combo of directions from this site & this site to actually hang the pegboard. Once the board was up I was all about getting it […]
January 19, 2015 @ 3:45 pm
Great post with wonderful ideas. We recently moved again and I have always taken photos of my pegboards, cabinets, shelves etc so I can refer back when I am trying to get everything back in order. I don’t always have the space to do the same configuration and love getting new ideas from other creative people. For the first time I have a hall closet that has about 6 inches from the inside of the door to the shelving and the pegboard worked out perfectly on the inside of the door. I will definitely put a border around to make it look better…Thanks!
June 4, 2015 @ 12:21 am
These are great samples. Thanks!
December 28, 2015 @ 7:09 pm
These are great ideas. I have a small studio in my New York apt and I’m always looking for ways to utilize my small room with very high ceilings.. Peg boards, perfect. I’m getting on this right away. Thanks.
16 Pegboard Organizing Tips – Scrap Booking
January 19, 2017 @ 8:00 am
[…] Source: Art Studio: 16 Pegboard Organizing Tips – […]
February 24, 2017 @ 8:20 am
To keep the hooks and other pegboard hanging items from falling out when you remove a tool from it add a small amount of hot glue to the hooks ect. This helps so much.
March 17, 2017 @ 7:29 pm
Any ideas for how to hang artwork on a pegboard? I have a consignment shop and want to hang framed pictures easily. Thanks Bet
November 20, 2018 @ 11:13 am
What did you use to hang the framed pictures?
November 27, 2018 @ 11:33 pm
There are pegs with a tab underneath with a hole for a short fat screw to make pegs much more stable. Recommend these for the galvanized metal pegboard which are also great for holding magnet shelves from auto dept.