Young House Love

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Paint Storage & Pegboards In Our Basement Workshop

Go navy! Please don’t misinterpret that previous sentence as a taking of sides in the long-standing Army / Navy feud. I’m 100% neutral on the rivalry. And if anything, my dad was in Army. But what am I doing stirring up trouble? This post is about the basement (and it’s up early since we’re on a flight)… so let’s dive in where we left off: this hot mess of a shelf.

BaseTwo 14 Paint Can Preview

This is where we’ve been storing haphazardly placing paint cans and other paint-can-shaped items. It has been the very antithesis of organization for the nearly 24 months that we’ve lived here. In fact, these are two boxes of items that haven’t even been unpacked yet from our move. Well done, Petersiks. Well done.

Paint 1 Box Old House

So I kicked off this little shelf spruce by getting everything off of them. It gave me some space to dust and also to inventory what belonged up there (paint cans) and what didn’t (boxes that contained paint cans, which needed to be emptied, broken down, and ditched in the recycling bin after two years of service).

Paint 2 Shelves Empty

Within about 30 minutes, things were looking a bit more like this:

Paint 3 After

All of the non-paint things (like bags of grout and polymeric sand) went on other shelves in the room (under the work area) so that this zone could be paint and paint only. Okay, and some stain and primer too. Because, if you haven’t noticed, we’ve accumulated lots of it. In fact, this entire left side is strictly paint leftover from book photoshoots (which is why they’re all quarts or tester sized cans).

Paint 4 Close Up

Oh and quick organizing tip: I got the “tiered” look by just placing a simple piece of scrap 2 x 6″ wood under one row of paint. That way I could see the color more easily. You can see the tiered effect more clearly in this shot of our spray paint collection. Should I be worried that we have just about every color of the rainbow? Although I can blame book projects for a good portion of this spectrum.

Paint 5 Spray Paint

This system is admittedly less intense than our previous basement’s paint system – which involved repackaging and labeling all of our leftover paint (see below). As I feared, that technique proved too cumbersome to keep up with as we purchased new paint. So don’t expect this basement’s paint shelves to go much further than they already have. But man, just knowing I was once this organized makes me feel all warm and fuzzy. #thosewerethedays

Basement Paint Can2

But speaking of paint, how about I show you how I put a small dent in that collection by putting some leftover paint to use? Can you guess what’s getting painted? Need a hint?

Navy 1 Small Unframed

Before I busted out the paint, I actually decided to dress up my pegboard with a little trim. This is thanks to some scrap and about $10 worth of new stuff.

Navy 2 Small Framed

I figured adding the frame would help my pegboard look a bit more polished. After all, aren’t these neatly organized tools a work of art in their own weird, nerdy way? I think so.

Navy 3 Big Framed

I only framed 3 sides of the big board because, well, one edge sat cleanly on the edge of the work surface. And since my yardstick was going to overlap I figured it didn’t need it.

Navy 4 Yard Stick Overhang

So here are the two pegboards complete with frames (I just held the wood frame pieces into the pegboards with a few finish nails). Still haven’t figured out what’s going on the small board. Right now it’s just a pen hanging there… chillin’ all by its bad self. But you know I’ll keep you posted when that pegboard fills up too.

Navy 5 Full Room Framed

With the frames all done, it was time to paint. Out of my plethora of options, Sherry and I agreed on this leftover quart of Hale Navy by Benjamin Moore. We used it on a project in the book (page 287) and we’ve both been a little crazy for it ever since. Speaking of crazy – how alien does my hand look below? Just picture a giant raptor talon hidden behind the paint can.

Navy 6 Paint Can

I systemically stripped the peg board of all of the tools, laying them out sort of like they fit on the wall and leaving their hooks with them. Since I know you’re wondering why I didn’t paint first – here’s why: I wanted to see how the tools looked before deciding how I wanted to paint the background (for example, if I didn’t fill the whole board I might have opted to do a pattern on one side or something). But since I thought the tools looked pretty kick butt on their own, I opted to just keep it simple with a dark manly background. And remember, we decided not to outline each tool since we liked the idea of keeping it flexible, so I can easily add new tools or reorient things if the mood strikes (flexibility = one of the best qualities of pegboards to me).

Navy 7 Tools Down

Here’s the big board after one not-perfect-yet coat. Note that I painted the trim too. I’m a wild man, I know.

Navy 8 Coat One

Here are both boards once two coats were done and dry. I realize the light is so lopsided in that room it makes the boards look two totally different shades, and it makes the one on the right look splotchy, but it’s just the light playing tricks on you. In person they both look the same color, and are nice and evenly painted.

Navy 9 Both Done

Here’s a shot of the more well-lit board so you can see the true color. I love that it’s distinctly navy, but is still pretty deep and muted at the same time. And I think keeping the frames the same color keeps it from being too high-contrast and makes it a smidge more sophisticated. That is, if you were ever to call a basement pegboard sophisticated. Oh and as for how the paint went on and if it gummed up the holes, I just applied it with a small foam roller as thinly as possible, and it didn’t gunk up the holes at all (some were clogged from previously applied white paint, but it’s still completely functional since you can shove a peg into them and unclog them).

Navy 10 Small Close

Once the paint was all dry, the tools got to go back in place. So for $15 of trim (if you don’t have any leftover scraps like we did) and $15 worth of paint (that’s the price of a quart if you don’t have any extra paint around) your basement can bring sexy back.

Navy 11 Big Done

And thud. I officially fell more in love with pegboards.

Navy 12 Big Detail

Adding the paint was a simple touch but it did something that happens anytime we put fresh paint in a room: it starts to feel “cared about” and more like it belongs to me, not the previous owner. So in that spirit, I’m thinking the next project will be to stain some of the wood in the room. It could use some freshening up and I think a deeper color might help bring some much needed contrast to the space. Like so…

Navy 13 Big Detail Stain

Thanks Photoshop. If only staining all that wood in real life were that easy. I’ll keep you posted! What are you guys up to? Any basement or garage upgrades going on? Any pegboard love affairs growing by the day? Do you think we need Painters Anonymous for all those cans and spray bottles? I kinda think we do.

Comments

  1. Kaity says

    Can I just say I’m drooling over all the paint cans.

    I’ve been thinking about painting a wall navy in our house. Would you suggest a colored primer first or just going straight over our beige walls with a few coats of the navy?

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Hmm, primer couldn’t hurt, but to save money you probably could just do a few coats of the navy paint (since it’s just one wall you’ll have lots of coats in the can). Hope it helps!

      xo
      s

  2. Chelly says

    I love the organization! And the color you choose for the pegboards….

    In the photos it looks a bit like chalkboard paint. If you had gone with chalkboard paint, you could have outlined the tools, but still had the flexibility to add and reorganize them down the road – simply by erasing the chalk!

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Yeah, I tried to convince John about that but he didn’t want chalk dust on his tools! Haha. We even chatted about chalk pens, but we hear they can leave permanent marks if they’re not erased often enough, and we worried we’d leave some things in the same spots for years and have permanent markings…

      xo
      s

  3. Sarah says

    When I cleared out my parent’s house after they passed away I found over 150 paint tester pots in several cupboards. My Mum had spent the previous 20 years trying (unsuccessfully) to convince my Dad to paint something a different colour than cream.
    My paint stash only has about 20 tester pots, so far!

    Ps. Amazon UK sorted themselves out and I finally got my copy of your book, love it!!!

    Reply

  4. Eve says

    The navy looks fantastic! I’ve been daydreaming about going navy somewhere in our house lately, but I have this urge to pair it with neon pink and a golden yellow. Which goes decidedly against the manliness quotient in your basement. ;)

    Reply

  7. Kristin C. says

    I absolutely love the “transformation” ;) And I am lusting over your spray paint collection, lol. I was reading your reply above about the BM paint vs. color matching. I was going to use Olympic white paint for my cabinets. Do you thing the BM paint + primer in one would be a better coverage AND save time?

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Oh yes, for cabinets we wouldn’t use anything but BM. They actually make something called Advance which is self leveling and what a lot of the pros use to paint cabinets, so it’s great!

      xo
      s

  8. Linda says

    Oh my – I’m in love. Between the deck and the basement, well, John is just the man! Just one of the reasons it didn’t feel crazy to get in line at 8:30 am in Chicago last Saturday. Hmm, I have a pegboard at home, and some Benjamin Moore testers – and I never thought about framing…guess what I might do if I get bored over Thanksgiving!

    Oh, to a prior poster – my landlord always used Benjamin Moore paint – he loved the coverage and wearability and thought it was the most cost and time-effective and best looking option, all things considered. Now that I own a condo, I’m officially in love with Benjamin Moore myself – I’ve used the Aura line in my bathrooms and you just can’t beat it for coverage. And BM has just the best colors – and other paints don’t always match perfectly, due to differences in the composition of the actual paint. I also like Sherwin Williams, but BM has my heart (once I recovered from sticker shock!)

    Reply

  9. Katy says

    Looks good, but I think an opportunity was lost to pay homage to the “Trinity Killer” by not drawing around each tool. Just saying…how can a blood lab specialist identify the bludgeon weapon without handy tool silhouettes?

    Reply

  10. melinda says

    Looks awesome! Some years ago took a woodworking class, and they had painted the outline of the tools in a contrasting color on the pegboard so everyone knew exactly where each tool belonged. Amazing how fast and easy it was to get the shop back into form after a class…but all these years later still have a jumble on my pegboard lol. Maybe for the next pinterest challenge? :-)

    Reply

  11. Jamie says

    Got my copy of your book in the mail today (Military mail was impacted by Sandy. Sadface) I was delighted to see that one of my burning questions – how to bring down my 15 foot vaulted ceilings, was answered. I live in a 1891 Victorian townhouse in England, with a lot of original features, and a lot of “meh” that my landlord updated 20 years ago and hasn’t touched since. I’ve been at a complete loss with how to marry 1891 to 1991 to 2012, but I think the book will help a lot.

    Reply

  12. Kari says

    Go forth and stain the wood if that’s what floats your boat.

    For me and mine, 3 kids later, I love the fact that we can paint on our workbench and not care too much about the mess. My 7 year old son can create his own projects without worrying about keeping the shop tidy. Looking back at all the drips on the countertop is kind of like a scrapbook–oh, the pink from the girls’ room project–oh, look, there’s the blue from the stove we made!

    However, I’m loving the way you’ve got so much paint it looks like a paint store at your house.

    Reply

  13. Charmaine says

    I just said “Hale Navy HC-154” silently in my head (ok fine I shouted it in my head) as soon as I saw it written in your post. I do that all the time “Kendall Charcoal HC-166”, “White Sand OC-10”, etc…at least with my most popular colours; I don’t have the entire benjamin moore colour fan memorized.
    Hale Navy is a great colour, I once used it for the front door colour of an entire townhouse development.

    Reply

  16. c norris says

    i am probably one of your “older” readers and have been stalking your blog since before the name change.
    i can’t believe i will miss meeting y’all tonight in houston, it’s the one night i work until 8:00!!
    it’s a beautiful day here in houston and i hope you enjoy your time here!!

    Reply

  19. Maggie says

    So jealous of this work space! Ah, apartment living :( We do have a box (still unpacked) from our last move that is ALSO full of paint. But not nearly as much paint as you guys! Too bad, it would be nice to save a trip when something needs a little spruce ;) Do you find you use up paint, or end up buying something new more often?

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      We use up classic tones like semi gloss white (on lots of trim and doors) and primer and poly. While wall colors usually have stuff leftover (which we like to use for DIY art or smaller projects).

      xo,
      s

  24. Jess @ Crunchy Hot Mama says

    Looks great John! Can you stop by our house on Saturday, after the signing, and get my hubby inspired to knock out the garage please ;)

    Can’t wait to see you guys tonight in Houston AND Dallas on Saturday!! Let me know if you need a ride up there, there’s room in the truck in between 2 toddlers-ha!

    Happy B-day!

    Reply

  26. Cassondra says

    Can’t wait for those shelves to get stained, there’s something to be said for finishing everything nicely and the way that it helps you to keep things neat and maintained :).

    Reply

  28. Riva says

    This is great! I am going to show this to my husband, who valiantly waited in line with me for 4 hours last night to see you guys even though he has yet to read through any of your projects. We have a few big peg boards in our garage and I bet he would love to make them look spiffier. If only we had an enormous paint collection like yours from which to pick our color!

    Reply

  29. Ashley says

    Your pegboard just answered a completely different question for me! We moved in July, but our house hasn’t sold yet…so we’re living with my inlaws. In order to keep my sanity, I’ve been imagining what to do with rooms in our future house…and the Hale Navy on your pegboards will be perfect for our son’s not quite a nursery/not quite a big boy room! With orange, lime, and some blue/yellow accents….all courtesy of John’s tools :) Now someone, please, please buy my old house :)

    Reply

  30. kelly says

    I have to say I am really loving this basement posts- I am so excited to show the hubby and hopefully give him some inspiration for our garage! Now he can get in on my love for YHL =) Hope you guys reschedule NYC soon so we can come meet you!

    Reply

  32. Kate says

    Awesome Job! Those organized paint cans make me swoon. Can’t wait to hear when the NYC signing is rescheduled. Safe travels out there and Happy Birthday John!

    Reply

  33. Emily R. says

    Thanks for the inspiration. No garage project yet but they maybe starting soon. I feel guilty for wasting the 4 car garage on halfway done projects given each way too much space.

    Reply

  34. Lorelei W. says

    I have a burning question. How do you stain and seal in the winter?

    My dear, long-suffering husband and I built a console table over the weekend, and I stained it just fine. Then suddenly (as the weather works down south) it was winter. Frost warnings and everything. Now I have an unsealed console table sitting in the garage, and no idea how to seal it. Can polycrylic be used when the high is 60?

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      We usually just read the package and sometimes it says over 50 so we do it! If it says 65+ and it’s colder we wait or try to do it in the basement since it’s more insulated and never gets as cold.

      xo
      s

  35. Jas says

    They do look great! btw, there was a Elmer’s glue ad and a hammer became animated and hammered the first picture (if that makes sense). Not sure you allow these kind of ads, just wanted to let you know.
    Oh, and Happy Bday John!

    Reply

  37. Amanda says

    God, organizing is SO satisfying. Even watching OTHER people organize something just feels good. I really need to organize our little tool closet too. Your baby mason jars have inspired me.

    Reply

  38. Lisa in Seattle says

    True to your recent post, when I got to the middle part of this, I was all “what the what, John???” But of course now it looks great! Something about the color and the idea of the stained wood seems very nautical to me – like your workshop will be a snug, trim little ship with you as the captain. I wish we could come to an agreement about our garage/workshop. I am a ruthless weeder-out of stuff, and the hubs holds onto things for sentimental value. Perhaps your project will inspire him!

    Reply

  39. Laura L. says

    John, this looks fantastic! I am totally envious of your basement. We are hoping to have a garage soon so I’ll be showing DH your awesomeness!

    Reply

  40. Roxanne M says

    Happy Birthday John!

    It was so awesome meeting you guys last night. You are so crazy nice and thanks for spending time with us! LOVE your book :)

    Ok, I’m salivating over all of those spray paint colors!! The peg boards look great.

    Reply

  41. Susie says

    Is anyone else having a total Type A meltdown over the paint-clogged holes in the pegboard? I’d be sitting cross-legged on that work bench for hours unclogging every last one of them. Other than that, it looks fantastic! I’ve been toying with the idea of pegboard for our pantry for years…maybe I should get on that already. ;)

    Reply

  42. Kari says

    It’s not often but I literally had one of those slap your head and hang it in shame moments. I’ve been trying to figure out a cheap and easy way to organize my cans and spices in my pantry so I can see everything. Freakin 2×6…good lord.

    Also, I really hope saying The Big Board so many times in one post was a reference to Dr. Strangelove. Because it totally made me laugh.

    Reply

  43. Anika says

    Fabulous post – way to keep plugging along on those oh-so-necessary but not as glamorous parts of the house. My parent’s basement needs some serious help and I think some of these simple steps would be a much needed step in the right direction.

    Thanks for sharing from your pov John – and Happy Birthday!! I hope you and Sherry can squeeze in some time to celebrate in between all your travelling!

    Reply

  44. Heather says

    Coincidentally, I just made and painted a pegboard in my garage this past weekend. I used leftover red paint from our front door, and scrap wood from the trash pile at the end of our street, (neighborhood is still under construction). The only thing I had to buy was the pegboard for $6.38! Score!

    Reply

  45. Claudia says

    Cannot WAIT to see you guys tonight. Welcome to Space City!!! I bet you guys are tired, but hope you get to do something fun before the signing. Lots of museums to go to, or just pop in to the Galleria for tons of shopping…or window shopping, in my case. (P.S.–Sorry about the traffic…it’s something that here). See ya soon!!! :-D

    Reply

  47. Amanda says

    In reference to some of the comments about cheaper paints versus more expensive ones, I mostly use Sherwin Williams. The few times I’ve used Behr from Home Depot, I found I ended up having to use more paint to cover the same amount of space. For this reason, I’d rather pay a little more but get more bang for my buck.

    Reply

  49. myamogabi says

    first time posting here and this is after seeing the rows and rows of paint that you’ve got there!! If I were to start on a painting DIY project, is there a few basic paint options that you’d recommend as must haves? I’m totally inspired by your blog, and after seeing the many paint jobs you both have done, I was somewhat tempted to tackle one myself. But now I’m afraid I don’t have the right stuff. Appreciate any suggestions!

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Hmm, we use stain-blocking primer and a water based sealer a lot along with semi gloss white paint for furniture and trim and doors. Then just get colors as needed for each project…

      xo
      s

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