Build a Shaker Peg Rail With Shelf in 2 Hours

The Shaker Philosophy in Practice

The Shakers believed that every object should serve a purpose, and that making something well was itself a form of prayer. Their peg rail embodies this philosophy perfectly – a simple wooden rail with turned pegs that holds coats, chairs, tools, and whatever else needs to be off the floor. Adding a shelf above transforms this utilitarian classic into something even more useful, and the entire project takes less than two hours to complete.

This build creates a 48-inch long rail with seven pegs and a 6-inch deep shelf mounted above. Material cost runs under $30 using clear pine, or slightly more with hardwood for a more refined appearance.

Rail Board Preparation

Start with a 1×6 board, 48 inches long. This will become your mounting rail. The board should be dead straight – sight down its length and reject any with bow or twist. Slight surface imperfections are acceptable; structural defects are not.

Mark the peg hole locations along the board’s centerline, starting 4 inches from each end and spacing the remaining holes evenly between – roughly 6-2/3 inches apart for seven pegs. These holes will be 3/4 inch in diameter, matching the tenon diameter on traditional Shaker pegs.

Drill the peg holes at a slight upward angle – approximately 5 degrees from horizontal. This angle prevents items from sliding off and gives the pegs a more purposeful appearance. Use a drill press with an angled jig, or mark your angle and drill carefully by hand using a sliding bevel as a visual guide.

Turning the Pegs

Shaker pegs follow a consistent design: a 3/4-inch diameter tenon, approximately 1 inch long, transitions to a 1-1/4 inch diameter head that tapers smoothly to a rounded tip. Total peg length runs about 4 inches.

If you have a lathe, turn seven matching pegs from hardwood blanks – maple works beautifully for this. Shape the tenon first, then form the head with a gradual taper using a skew chisel. Sand while the lathe runs, finishing through 220-grit.

No lathe? Commercial Shaker pegs are readily available from woodworking suppliers at $2-3 each. There’s no shame in buying them – the Shakers themselves produced pegs by the thousands for sale. Your time is better spent on the rail and shelf construction.

Adding the Shelf

Cut a shelf board 48 inches long and 6 inches deep from 3/4-inch stock. The back edge should be straight and square; the front edge can receive a simple chamfer or remain square for the most authentic look.

The shelf mounts directly above the peg rail, creating an integrated unit. Two methods work well: attach the shelf to the rail using pocket screws from below (hidden by the rail itself), or mount both pieces to the wall independently with the shelf positioned 1/4 inch above the rail.

I prefer the integrated approach. Position the shelf on top of the rail, flush at the back edge, and drive pocket screws every 12 inches. This creates a single unit that mounts as one piece.

Mounting to the Wall

The assembly must hit at least two wall studs for secure mounting. Locate studs and mark their positions on the rail. Drill 3/16-inch counterbored holes through the rail at these locations, then drive 3-inch construction screws into the studs.

Standard mounting height positions the pegs between 48 and 54 inches from the floor, depending on the primary users. Higher mounting works better if the pegs will hold long coats; lower mounting suits households with children who need independent access.

Finishing for Service

Apply two coats of polyurethane or a simple oil-wax finish. The Shakers used milk paint, which remains an authentic option in traditional colors – their favorite was a distinctive yellow, though blue and red were also common.

Install the pegs after finishing. Apply a small amount of wood glue to each peg tenon and press firmly into its hole. The angled holes should hold the pegs in position while the glue cures – no clamping required.

Beyond the Entryway

Shaker peg rails work throughout the home: in bedrooms for robes and bags, in kitchens for aprons and pot holders, in workshops for frequently-used tools. The Shakers hung entire chairs on their peg rails for ease of floor cleaning. Build one, and you’ll find yourself building more – the simplicity becomes addictive.