DIY Storage guide: Making your own pegboard shelf

by Nicolette Shkreli 01/17/2024

Wooden pegboard shelving units are a simple and cost-effective DIY storage solution. Extremely versatile and durable, pegboard shelving is perfect for anything from tool storage to jewelry organization and is one of the easier DIY storage ideas. If you’re interested in making a custom pegboard shelving unit, here is a guide to help:

DIY Pegboard tools & materials

The size of your pegboard is completely up to preference and how much storage space you need. If you plan to use your pegboard for office supplies or personal accessories, consider using a smaller base and thinner pegs.

¾ inch plywood for the base
½ inch plywood pieces for shelves
Wooden dowels for pegs
Wood screws
Drill
Drum sander
Hand sander
Measuring tape
Pencil

Step-by-step guide

The first step to this DIY storage project is to carefully sand the entire piece of plywood for the base.
Once the base plywood is smooth, use your measuring tape to measure where the peg holes will go. It’s helpful to make a paper template to mark each peg hole if you prefer not to mark the plywood directly.
Following your marked spacing, drill holes with a ¾ inch bit.
Use the drum sander to smooth the edges of each peg hole. Be careful not to sand too much, or you might accidentally make the hole too large for the peg to fit tightly.
Cut your wooden dowels to the desired length. For this guide, use six-inch pegs.
Create the shelf boards by cutting the ½ inch plywood into six-inch lengths. You can make the shelves whatever width you prefer. A variety of shelf sizes makes for a versatile and aesthetically pleasing pegboard.
Sand all the shelf pieces to avoid splinters and splitting.
Drill the base of the pegboard to the wall using large wood screws.
With the pegboard base secured, it’s time to add the pegs and shelves. Arrange them however best fits your storage purposes.
Pegboards are an excellent example of DIY storage. By making a custom pegboard of your own, you can save space and stay organized.

About the Author

Nicolette Shkreli

Nicolette is a full-time licensed real estate agent working with residential and commercial buyers, sellers, and renters. Growing up in Eastchester, graduating from Marist College and branching out to Manhattan before returning to her roots has created deep ties to Westchester while understanding what a NYC buyer wants when relocating to the suburbs.

Bringing nearly a decade of extensive experience in sales, interior design, marketing, and customer service from her Manhattan career while working with esteemed companies such as Elle Décor Magazine and various companies under the Herman Miller brand, Nicolette encompasses an effective fusion of suburban warmth and city tenacity. Her enthusiasm for helping others combined with her determination to close deals helps her simultaneously connect her with clients on a personal level while conducting business in the most professional of ways. It’s this connection that leads to a seamless and successful Real Estate transaction.

When not working, Nicolette enjoys spending time with her family, friends, and puppy. Professionally, she prides herself using those same personal values of loyalty, honesty, attentiveness, and being detail-oriented. She values all client relationships and makes it her goal to provide exceptional service and guaranteed satisfaction. Her intimate knowledge of the area, having lived in Westchester all her life, gives her enthusiasm and a desire to make her home, your home.

In July 2015, Berkshire Hathaway Home Services (BHHS) acquired Tri-Crest Realty and Prudential Centennial Realty and has been one of the most successful offices in lower Westchester County since 2000. With over 1,800 Realtors in 55 offices in the Northeast and 51,600 agents in 1,600 offices in 47 states nationally, BHHS is the #2 company in Barron’s ranking of the world’s most respected companies; ranking #3 in Fortune Magazine’s 50 Most Admired Companies survey.