Top 10 Best Pegboards in 2021 (IKEA, Lowe's, and More)

From multiple panel pegboards for tools to small ones that can be used to hang decorations, this list is bound to contain the pegboard you're looking for. We made our choices based on the points listed in the buying guide below, as well as reviewer comments when available.

Before grabbing just any pegboard, there are a few important factors you'll want to consider. Look over each of the following points so you know how to pick the perfect pegboard!

A pegboard is a versatile organizing tool that can hold a range of different things, from tools to pots and pans. You can narrow down your search by first considering what you plan on using your pegboard for.

If you’ll be using your pegboard for storage and organization, knowing what kinds of things your pegboard is going to be holding will help you narrow things down. Often, pegboards are used as garage tool organizers.

Considering the weight of tools, you’ll need to get a pegboard that’s durable, sturdy, and heavy-duty, especially if you’ll be using it to store larger tools. If you’ll also be storing little nuts and bolts, you’ll need one with bin-type hanging accessories. Alternatively, you can buy accessories separately.

You may want to use a pegboard in the kitchen, for hanging pots, pans, mugs, and other accessories. If that's the case, you should look for a sturdy pegboard to make sure it can hold the weight.

Pegboards used for organizing materials for arts and crafts won’t need to be as heavy-duty but may need more dividers and bin-type hanging accessories to hold smaller items and keep similar materials together. The same goes for decorations - these aren't typically heavy, so a lightweight pegboard will do.

Since pegboards have to be set up at home, make sure you get one that’s easy for you to install. This is especially important if you’ll be setting it up on your own. Keep in mind that you should have about a 1/2-inch space between your pegboard and the wall. This space is necessary for you to be able to install the hooks when it’s mounted.

Some pegboards are ready-made, meaning they come with a frame. These ones don’t need additional materials since the necessary gap is already taken care of. If a pegboard doesn’t come with a built-in frame, then you’re going to have to make one yourself using spacers and standoffs.

Furring strips work to raise surfaces and can also create that gap between the wall and your pegboard. A pegboard that comes with installation hardware and materials will save you the trouble of having to buy extra tools.

Depending on what you’re going to be storing on your pegboard, you want to pick the right kind of hole sizes and hanging accessories. Make sure that you get the right-sized hooks if the board doesn't come with any.

Pegboards generally come with a standard one-inch space between holes. While the standard hole size is 1/8 of an inch, bigger ones that measure 1/4 of an inch are also quite common.

Standard 1/8-inch holes are a good fit for holding tools and other items that are on the lighter side. Pliers and hammers, for example, aren’t as heavy as chainsaws and shovels. Bigger 1/4-inch holes are capable of holding up heavier items like shelving units that are going to serve as a base for other items.

Since there are many types of hanging accessories to choose from, consider what you're after for your pegboard. Pegboard hooks come in different shapes and sizes, but they’re used pretty much in the same way, which is to hang items. You can hang almost anything that has a hang hole in it, from garage tools to craft items like scissors.

Hooks alone can come in a wide range of styles. J-hooks have one prong that curves upward. Double peg hooks have two prongs for extra support. You may want to think about which hooks will work best for your tools.

Basket and bin-type hanging accessories allow you to store items that either can’t be hung or aren’t practical to be individually hung on your pegboard. They can hold multiple items at once and are great for organizing groups of the same materials such as screws and bolts, as well as craft items.

A similar accessory is a hanging shelf. These come as shelf panels with pegs attached to the edges. The pegs are inserted into the pegboards and add more storage space to the board. This will allow you to stack items and can help make things look a little less cluttered. Additional organization tools like baskets and boxes can be put on the shelf space.

Don’t forget that the pegboard will be holding additional weight because of all the items you’ll store on it. Since your pegboard is going to be holding quite a lot of things, you want to make sure that it’s made of durable material. Pegboards are usually made of wood, metal, or plastic.

Wooden pegboards are easy to work with, so you can actually make one on your own using simple tools at home. Or you can buy a masonite wood pegboard, which is made of wood fiber and resin material that’s coated with oil. Since masonite pegboards are so common, it’s easy to find ones in both 1/8 and 1/4-inch hole versions.

However, wood, especially the solid wood type, doesn’t fare well when exposed to moisture and can end up warping and splintering depending on the weight it holds. Still, it’s very easy to install. Just keep in mind that re-installing hooks too often can damage the holes.

Metal pegboards are typically made of aluminum or stainless steel. They’re heavy-duty and are therefore more suitable for holding dense items. Just keep in mind that while hanging extra heavy items on hooks won’t damage the metal material, it will affect its mounting points.

However, their typically heavy weights mean they don’t often come in large sizes. If you’re looking for a pegboard that can cover an entire wall, you may have a difficult time finding a metal one that’s big enough.

Though exposure to too much moisture can cause the metal to rust, this problem can be avoided by treating it with an anti-rust treatment or getting one made of stainless steel. Metal pegboards are easy to clean and are long-lasting since they don’t warp and sag. And they're magnetic!

Plastic or acrylic pegboards are much more lightweight than metal and wood. They come in a lot of different sizes, making them easier to work with no matter how much wall space you plan on filling.

Though not everyone is a fan of a plastic’s feel and finish, a pegboard made of plastic can hold heavy tools, which, when paired with its lightweight feature, makes it very versatile. Plastic pegboards also come ready to be installed.

A board alone can be heavy. Because of this, you want to consider the weight of both the board and the wall you’ll be hanging it on. This factor will also have a say in how much reinforcement a board will need. Heavy metal boards will need wall attachment points that are stronger and more durable than a thin, light wooden board.

You can also look for a factor called “gauge,” which measures a pegboard’s thickness. When it comes to gauge, the lower the number, the thicker the board. So, for example, 16-gauge is a lighter option than 2-gauge pegboard. Just keep in mind that it’ll need more support.

Pegboards typically come in sizes that range from 8 by 20 inches to 28 by 48 inches. However, you can find smaller or larger panel sizes too, so make sure you choose one that comes in dimensions that work for your pegboard vision.

If you’re planning to fill a whole wall, you want to get a pegboard that’s on the bigger side. If you can’t find one that comes in the exact measurements you want, you can opt to use multiple panels of a smaller size. Though this may be more work on your part, you’ll fill up the wall space you originally wanted.

If you plan on putting up a pegboard that stretches across the walls of a room but doesn’t necessarily reach all the way up to the top and bottom, look for one that’s long but not so high. For more square-shaped spaces, look for dimensions that have measurements closer to each other when it comes to length and width.

Messy, cluttered space? Check out these organizing products, and find a few that will help keep all your things in order.

A pegboard is a great versatile piece to add to your home. Not only is it used for storage and organization, but it can also be used to add a bit of decoration to your home.

Make sure that you go through each of the points we went through together in the buyer's guide above before grabbing just any pegboard. Or, if you're not in the mood to go over it again, use the points you learned to narrow down the options in our top 10 list!

Author: Beatrice Joy

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