DIY Plywood Pegboard and Magnetic Board

Learn how to make a DIY plywood pegboard and a magnetic board using scrap plywood to create a modern organizer. It is perfect for any room or space!

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Do you save ALL your scraps?

When I made the plywood headboard, I was left with a lot of scrap pieces – mostly triangular in shape. I saved them and knew I wanted to do something fun with them.

I had always planned to add some sort of decor/shelving on the wall in my workshop and this ended up being the perfect solution!

Although I am using scrap plywood pieces, you really don’t have to! This would also work perfectly with regular-shaped larger plywood pieces 🙂

Material Needed –

• ¾”Plywood
• Edge banding Learn How to Cover Plywood Edges for a professional finish.
• ¾” dowel
• 1×3 board for shelves
• Combination Square
• Magnets
• Super Glue
• ¾” Forstner bit
• Iron/ Cricut EasyPress Mini
• 3″ screws
• Edge banding trimmer
• Fine sanding block
• Miter saw or miter saw box and handsaw

Before we get started, make sure to follow me on Instagram and YouTube to keep up with all my latest builds and projects!

How to Make a Plywood Pegboard and Magnetic Board

Although I used scrap plywood, you really can use any shape or size of plywood.

Important – Make sure they are at least 20 inches wide because you want to be able to attach them to the studs. 

Below is the video of how I made the plywood pegboard and magnetic board with the scrap wood.

Step by step instructions are below.

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How to Make the Plywood Pegboard

Step 1 – Decide Configuration

• Decide the arrangement you want to use for your organizer.

For you it might mean a simple single piece of plywood. But for me, it was 5 pieces of scrap plywoods.

I played around with the scrap pieces until I came up with a configuration I liked best. 

I liked how two of the pieces almost looked like they came from a single piece broken in the middle and used that for the pegboard. 

Step 2 – Mark Grid

• Measure and mark the grid for the pegboard using a combination square. I used a 4″x4″ square grid.

Since I was using multiple pieces, I used a scrap 1×2 as the spacer for the ¾” spacing and used that to make sure I accounted for it while marking the grid. 

Step 3 – Make the Holes

•   Make 3/4″ holes using a Forstner bit.

Important – I used a spade bit because its what I had on hand and it was a mistake. It created a lot of splinters. A Forstner bit works much better to make clean holes. 

Step 4 – Prepare the plywood

• Add edge banding if you would like to cover up the raw plywood edges.

• Trim off the excess edge banding using a trim tool
• Use a fine sanding block to make the edges smooth.

As you can see, I did this after mounting the pegboard on the wall because I was making it up as I went along. But this should be done before mounting.

To apply edge banding, you can use a traditional iron but I discovered that the EasyPress Mini is perfect for this purpose! Its tiny size is great for the arms too!

• Stain the plywood in the color of your choice.

I stained in Nutmeg to match the other wood tones in my accent wall.

Step 5 – Mount on Wall

• Attach 1×2 boards on the studs making sure they are level.

Tip – Finish nails help hold it in place and then you can add the 3″ screws.

• Attach the plywood to the 1×2 making sure it is level. Again, use finish nails to hold it in place and then add the 3″ screws.

Step 6 – Make the Pegs

• Measure the length of pegs you need.

I wanted to use a 1×3 as a shelf so I used that to estimate how long I needed the pegs.

• Cut the pegs on a miter saw or use a miter box and handsaw.

I stained the pegs in the same color as the pegboard and painted the tips in the same colors as the accent wall.

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How to Make the Magnetic Plywood

I originally saw Tamar from 3×3 custom make something like this a couple of years ago using wood slices and then more recently Vintage Revivals made one with plywood.

Step 1 – Make the Grid

• Measure and mark a grid on the plywood.

I made a 2″x2″ grid because I wanted the magnets to be close enough so we had the most “efficient” board.

Step 2 – Make Holes

• Use a ¾” Forstner bit to make partial holes on the back of the plywood. Be sure NOT to go through the plywood.

I used the top of the Forstener bit as a guide. As soon as the top was just below the level of the surface, I stopped. This left a little less than ¼” thick plywood behind.

Also, notice that the Forstener bit resulted in really clean holes.

Step 3 – Add the Magnets

• Use super glue and attach the magnets inside the “holes”
• Add another magnet on the front side to hold the magnet tight as the super glue dries.

Be sure to keep the orientation of the magnets the same as you drop them in. For example – all S sides of the magnets should be up. If not, it will become harder to add magnets in the front as you wont know the orientation and the magnets will jump away and around.

Step 4 – Mount on the Wall

• Level and mount on the wall using 3″ screws into the studs.

Important – As you mount it, you want to add magnets in the front so you know where the magnets are because you don’t want to try to drill through the magnets!

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I added shelves on the pegboard and a little bit of decor mixed in with some tools because I want this to also be functional and not just decorative. 

I love how the magnetic plywood turned out!

The magnets stick pretty well. They automatically slide into the spot with the magnet.

I was hoping to use it for my bits the magnet isn’t strong enough. I can, however, use a magnet and then add the bits on top or just use it to hold my cut lists or drawings when I am working. 

I did end up using only 3 pieces from the original configuration because it started to look too busy.  

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Now, I think it looks perfect!

This wall has come a LONG way, I have one little quick project left on the wall and then I am done!

A full recap of the garage makeover will come your way soon! Stay tuned!

More Scrap Wood Project Ideas –

• DIY scrap plywood storage bins
• Scrap plywood clock
• DIY step stool

See 23 other easy scrap wood projects.