Pegboard is an old favorite for garage storage, and it continues to be a simple, economical, and versatile choice. A pegboard system is also easy to install, making it a great project for do-it-yourselfers.

Standard pegboard is a manufactured-wood product that comes in various thicknesses and bears rows and columns of holes. Hooks then sit within these holes and hold your tools.

Basic J hooks, which have a crook in their design that allows them to hang onto pegboard, can be further secured by using peg locks. A variety of hooks—including kits—are available.

You may enjoy the natural color of pegboard, or you may choose to paint it. Note that light colors are usually best because they will contrast with dark tools, allowing you to see your gear without difficulty. To take your organization a step further, you may paint or simply outline the shapes of your tools onto the pegboard so that you will always know where to place items.

A sheet of 1/4-inch-thick pegboard (lesser thicknesses are more easily warped and damaged) that is 4 by 8 feet is usually enough for most garage storage, but you can certainly buy more or less according to your needs.

To install pegboard, glue furring strips that are 1⁄2 by 1 inch or 1 by 2 inches in dimension around the backside’s edges. You may choose to add more strips, spaced at intervals, to provide extra support, particularly if you are hanging a very large piece of pegboard.

Adhere the panel to the wall, inserting long screws through the furring strips and into wall studs.

Metal pegboard is another choice for those who like the look of steel or may be seeking a sturdier option for weighty tools. These come with mounting screws and utilize their own hook and hanger accessories.