Pegboard (or one of its metal cousins) is one of the simplest and most flexible storage tools you can put in a garage or workshop—but only if it’s organized with intention. Too often, pegboard turns into a cluttered wall of random hooks, half-hung tools, and tangled cords that’s just as frustrating as a messy workbench.
This article contains Amazon Associate links. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you.
When it’s set up correctly, pegboard keeps your most-used tools visible, accessible, and off valuable floor and bench space. It also lets you adapt as your tool collection changes, without rebuilding shelves or cabinets every time.
This guide walks through a straightforward, functional way to organize pegboard using a few purpose-built accessories. The goal isn’t to cram as much as possible onto the wall—it’s to create a layout that’s easy to use, easy to maintain, and actually makes working in your shop more efficient.
Mount Tool Battery Chargers
One of the smartest uses of pegboard is dedicating space to cordless tool battery chargers. Chargers tend to sprawl across workbenches, get unplugged and forgotten, or end up buried under other tools. Mounting them on pegboard keeps batteries visible, accessible, and charging where you can see them.
For mounting, I usually rely on simple drywall screws driven into a 1×1 furring strip behind the pegboard. That furring strip gives the screws something solid to bite into and adds the spacing you need behind the pegboard for hooks and airflow when the chargers get hot. It’s a straightforward setup that holds charger shelves and brackets securely without overthinking the hardware.
Pegboard-mounted charger shelves or brackets work better than trying to hang chargers directly on hooks. They provide a flat, stable surface, allow airflow around the batteries, and keep cords routed cleanly instead of dangling. Position chargers at chest height or slightly below so batteries are easy to swap without reaching overhead. Done right, a pegboard charging station clears bench space, reduces clutter, provides easy routing of power cables, and makes sure your tools are actually ready when you need them.
Pegboard Hooks (and How to Use Them)
Pegboard hooks are where most pegboard setups succeed or fail. Cheap, thin hooks bend easily and pop out of the board every time you grab a tool, which quickly turns an organized wall into a source of frustration. Starting with the right hooks makes a bigger difference than adding more of them.
For most hand tools, heavier-gauge steel hooks with a locking or retaining clip stay put and support real weight. Straight hooks work well for hammers and drills, angled hooks keep tools from sliding off, and multi-prong hooks are useful for items like pry bars or larger wrenches. Using the right hook shape for each tool reduces movement and keeps everything in its place.
Lay out hooks so tools aren’t crowded together. Leave enough space that you can grab one tool without knocking others loose. When hooks are spaced intentionally and matched to the tools they hold, pegboard becomes a reliable storage system instead of a constant annoyance.
Where to buy pegboard hooks? Harbor Freight has some good kits, but you’ll find that Amazon has options that are less expensive and of equal quality.
Personally, I keep grinder wheels, my favorite Milwaukee shop scissors, and a box cutter easily accessible, hanging from hooks.
Pegboard Baskets
Not everything belongs on a hook. Pegboard baskets are ideal for tools and supplies that are awkward to hang or that you grab in handfuls—things like fasteners, gloves, safety glasses, tape, and small accessories. Used correctly, baskets keep these items contained without turning into catch-all clutter.
Metal wire baskets designed specifically for pegboard work best because they distribute weight across multiple holes and don’t flex over time. Deeper baskets are worth the extra cost for hardware and bulkier items, while shallow baskets are better for items you want visible at a glance. Avoid overloading them; pegboard works best when each container has a clear purpose.
I use pegboard baskets for more than just hardware. One holds my Bose Bluetooth speaker, which keeps it off the bench and out of the way while still easy to reach to fire it up. Others hold notepads, a pen cup, my label maker, and small baggies for parts storage. Keeping these everyday items in baskets means they’re always in the same place, easy to grab, and not buried under tools or shop clutter.
Cable Management
Loose cords are one of the fastest ways to make a pegboard wall look messy. Battery charger cords, extension cords, and audio cables tend to drape across hooks or hang in the way unless they’re managed deliberately. A little cable control goes a long way toward keeping the wall functional.
I use Velcro cable ties for most cords because they’re adjustable and easy to reuse when layouts change. For cords that need to stay put, zip-tie anchors mounted to the pegboard or the furring strip behind it keep cables routed cleanly and out of the way. This prevents cords from snagging tools or pulling on chargers when you grab something nearby.
Labeling cables is just as important as securing them. A label maker eliminates confusion if you need to unplug or swap out a charger, speaker, or power strip later. When cables are tied down, routed cleanly, and clearly labeled, the pegboard stays organized instead of slowly devolving into a tangle of wires.
Final Thoughts on How To Best Use Pegboard in a Shop
Pegboard works best when it’s treated like a tool, not a decoration. When you give each section a clear purpose—chargers in one place, hooks matched to the right tools, baskets for loose items, and cables kept under control—the wall becomes something you actually rely on every day instead of something you constantly fight.
The real advantage of pegboard is flexibility. As your tools change, your layout can change with them, without rebuilding cabinets or shelving. A few well-chosen accessories and a little planning go a long way toward keeping your workspace efficient, easy to maintain, and enjoyable to work in.
