The short answer: start with a standard 29 by 29 square pegboard. It fits most small and medium patterns, works with every major bead brand, and costs a few dollars. Add shaped boards and larger sets later, when specific projects need them.
The pegboard market looks confusing, but the choice is simple once you know what each type is for. Here is the breakdown by project type.
Board types and what they are for
- Square 29 by 29: the everyday board for keychains, charms, and small art. Buy this first.
- Shaped boards: circles, hearts, and animal shapes for ornaments and pendants.
- Large and connecting sets: for murals, portraits, and anything bigger than one board. Our size guide compares them.
- Mini pegboards: only if you use 2.6 mm mini beads.
What to check before buying
Make sure the board is compatible with 5 mm beads and standard peg spacing. Perler, Hama, and Artkal boards all share the same spacing, so any of them works with any beads. Patterns in our library state the board size they need, which removes the guesswork. For first projects, our beginner patterns all fit one standard board.