Once relegated to garages, home workshops, and retail locations, pegboards are now making a splash in one of the most frequently used rooms in the home: the kitchen. More and more, homeowners are utilizing this traditionally utilitarian organization solution to maximize space and functionality in the kitchen. The appeal lies in the versatility and customization that pegboards offer, but done right, they can look surprisingly chic, too.

So, what's the key to making pegboard organization work in your kitchen? According to an interior designer, it all comes down to choosing the right location, material, and accessories for your space.

Janelle Patton is the owner of Lark Interiors, an interior design studio based in Dallas, Texas.

The Best Place to Hang a Kitchen Pegboard

First things first, it's important to choose the right location for a kitchen pegboard. An ideal location will feel functional and make it easy to grab items while you cook. Janelle Patton, owner of Lark Interiors in Dallas, Texas, says that the space behind the counter and under the upper cabinets, aka the backsplash zone, is often the perfect spot. “That real estate is prime for a pegboard because everything you hang there is at arm's reach while you're actually cooking," Patton explains.

Depending on your kitchen layout, you may have a similarly convenient, easy-to-reach location near your stove that makes more sense. Think: the wall across from the stove in a narrow apartment kitchen, or the blank wall beside the stove in an L-shaped configuration. For this reason, it's important to consider the location carefully before installing a pegboard in your kitchen. Every space is different, and the best kitchen organization solutions feel functional and tailored to their spaces.

On that note, Patton says that utilizing pegboards in the pantry can also be a great option, especially for larger pantries with wall space to spare. Installing an oversized pegboard in the pantry can be a great way to organize dry goods, spices, and extra cookware that would otherwise disappear into the back of a shelf.

Patton says one of the biggest mistakes she sees is people installing pegboards to hang things they rarely use. Hanging items that don't get used often only adds to the clutter, defeating the purpose of the pegboard altogether.

What to Store on a Kitchen Pegboard

So, what can you hang on a kitchen pegboard? Pretty much anything! The best part about pegboards is how easily customizable they are. Hooks and utensils certainly aren't your only options here.

“What works really well on a kitchen pegboard is anything you grab constantly and hate digging for,” Patton says.

Pegboards can be customized with baskets, shelves, rods, hooks, and more to make storing nearly anything a breeze. Think pots and pans with hooks through the handles, sheet pans stored vertically, cutting boards, cooking utensils, spice jars, dish towels, and so much more.

Essentially, Patton says the goal is to get your most-used items off the counter and onto the pegboard so your countertops can breathe. Whether that's your utensils, cookware, salt and pepper shakers, cookbooks, butter and oil, or even a couple of potted herbs, a pegboard can accommodate them.

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How to Style a Kitchen Pegboard

Pegboards in the kitchen are incredibly functional, but that doesn't mean they have to be an eyesore. While a pegboard may conjure visions of your dad's tool garage or a cluttered retail display, Patton offers a few tips for making your kitchen pegboard feel stylish in the space.

First, she cautions against going too matchy with the accessories and the pegboard's organization. Like any thoughtfully designed space, mixing and matching with intention will create a final result that feels collected and personal rather than sterile. We are avoiding the retail look, after all! That means avoiding sticking to one type of organizational solution—such as hooks or baskets—and trying a mix of options. “When everything is perfectly uniform, it loses the whole point and just looks staged,” Patton says.

Next, choosing the right material for your kitchen pegboard is critical, not only for aesthetics but also for long-term functionality and cleanliness. Painted MDF pegboards are among the most common and affordable options, but if you plan to hang them near your stove (where heat and splatter come into play), Patton recommends choosing a material that is easier to clean, such as sealed wood or powder-coated metal.

“Wipe it down when you do your regular kitchen clean, and it's really not a big maintenance commitment,” Patton adds.