That old suitcase in your attic isn’t junk. Sure, it may no longer survive your travel adventures, but it still deserves better than being forgotten under a layer of dust. So why not give it a fresh makeover?
With a splash of imagination and your nimble, crafty hands, your grey-haired travel companion can become a piece of decor, furniture, or maybe even both at once.
C’mon, let’s explore the top vintage luggage DIY ideas and turn your old luggage into absolute showstoppers!
In This Article
What Types of Suitcases Work Best for DIY Decor?
Not every suitcase is built for a DIY project, but a few are born for it. Keep an eye out for:
- Vintage leather cases
- Hard-shell Samsonite styles
- Trunk-style luggage
- Mini travel cases and train cases
Quick Prep Tips
Your suitcase has travelled the world, and it shows. Dust, scuffs, stains and dents. It certainly deserves a little TLC before its big DIY glow-up. Here’s what you can do:
- Give your suitcase a gentle clean with a mild soap solution.
- Vacuum the inside to remove old lint, dirt, and that “stored-too-long” smell.
- Tighten loose screws or hardware on the handle, clasps, and hinges.
- Sand lightly if the surface needs a refresh.
- Add a sealant to preserve its finish.
- Remove or treat rust spots using a rust remover.
- Oil or lubricate stiff hinges to ensure smooth opening and closing.
Tools & Supplies You May Need
Before you jump into the fun part, gather a basic toolkit with DIY suitcase materials like the following:
Basics
- Screwdriver
- Screws and fasteners
- Hooks
- Craft knife
- Sandpaper
- Drill
- Adhesive/glue
- Plywood sheets
- Table legs
- Wheels
- L-brackets
- Shelf brackets
- Hinges
- Foam
Decorative
- Elastic bands
- Fabric
- Paint
- Wallpaper
- Soft velvet
- Decorative handles, knobs, latches
- Dolls
- Tiny toy furniture
- Cushion
- Photo prints
- Sealant
Upcycled Vintage Suitcase Decor Ideas To Try
Train stations, road trips, and a lifetime of stories, your suitcases have seen it all. Now it’s time to breathe new life into them with these upcycled decor ideas.
1. Center Table
Let’s be honest, the usual wooden or marble center table is getting a little… expected. So why not switch things up with a vintage suitcase table? Yep, a real vintage suitcase turned center table. Trust me, your wallet will thank you.
Grab four wooden, metal, or hairpin table legs from the local hardware shop. Be mindful of leg length so the table height is 1-2 inches lower than the sofa cushions. Paint the suitcase, reinforce the base with plywood, and attach the legs.
Voila! You’ve got a perfect center table to store magazines, books, and board games, while also flexing an antique treasure!
2. Storage Chest of Drawers
If one vintage suitcase can make heads turn, imagine what a few of them can do! You can turn them into a stunning chest of drawers or a unique dresser that also serves as a statement piece.
Buy or build a wooden frame as shown in the images. Cut the top surface of each suitcase lid to resemble a drawer. Keep the handle intact. Slide them into the shelves.
P.S.: Don’t stress if the colors don’t match. A little mismatch just means more character and personality! 😉
3. Compact Bookshelf
Calling all book lovers! If your shelves are officially overflowing, let a vintage suitcase come to the rescue.
Mount a hard-shell suitcase vertically. Measure the inside width and depth of the box. Build a bookshelf from plywood using the specified dimensions. Sand all corners until smooth and place it inside. Repeat for the lid.
Attach wheels or small stands underneath the suitcase. Ta-da! Your beloved books have a beautiful new home!
4. Simple Chair
Attach plywood to the suitcase base and add chair legs. Secure L-brackets to the lid to keep it at 90 degrees. For the seat, fill the suitcase with foam until it is 2 inches above the rim. Glue an aesthetic cloth. Repeat the same with the suitcase lid for the back rest, and let it dry!
5. Wall-Mounted Shelf
Got an awkward empty wall staring back at you? That’s your cue to make a suitcase shelf!
Cut the suitcase lid as shown in the image, and place a plywood shelf inside. Cover the interior with a bright-colored fabric. Use shelf brackets to secure.
From souvenirs and lightweight showpieces to awards and medals, this fancy shelf can be the ideal destination for small keepsakes.
6. Bar Cabinet
Why stick to a regular bar cabinet when you can go vintage? Your starting point: a vintage suitcase!
Add old furniture legs to the base of a hardshelled suitcase. Prop the lid open at a right angle with L-brackets.
Install a plain wooden plank on the lid near the bottom as a shot glass shelf. Attach multiple horizontal strips of wood to hang stemmed liquor glasses.
Fill it with your precious liquor bottles. Place it in the corner of your living room, dining room, or home office. And there you have your party-ready bar cabinet!
Pro Tip: Line the interior with chic wallpaper or velvet for extra drama!
7. Stacked Suitcase Nightstand
Who says a nightstand has to be a nightstand? Break the rule, stack some suitcases instead!
Find 2-3 vintage suitcases. Let them be in their natural vintage element or wrap them with colorful coverings. Stack them symmetrically or experiment as shown in the image, then secure with adhesive.
Decorate the surface with some books and a showpiece for the finishing touch. Go to bed, and let its old-school beauty charm you to sleep! 😉
8. Dollhouse
For toddlers-at-heart and toddler parents alike: transform your old suitcases into a tiny little dollhouse.
Grab a medium vintage suitcase, a mini train, or a travel case. Wrap the interior with cute wallpaper. Use brown for flooring and lighter colors for walls. Create separate rooms with dividers. Add tiny furniture and place some dolls. And lo and behold! Your very own dollhouse is ready!
9. Cozy Pet Beds
Your pet deserves the world… So, show them some love by building a snug little suitcase bed for them!
a. Attach 3-inch-tall furniture legs to a vintage suitcase. Leave the lid open at an angle. Place a plush cushion inside. You can even decorate the lid interior with your pet’s cutest shots!
b. For more than one fur baby, detach the lid and create a double-decker bed! All you gotta do is use longer table legs. Attach to the base of the top bed and make it pass through the lower one.
10. Serving Tray
Store-bought trays are pretty. But a suitcase one? Instant conversation starter!
Look for a suitcase with a flat lid. Detach the lid, take off the case handle and hinges, and attach a new handle on each side. Paint it a fun color or let it be, and apply sealant. And your serving tray is ready to turn heads!
11. Grooming Vanity
Level-up your grooming routine with a chic vintage suitcase vanity. Prefer a seated setup? Reinforce the suitcase base with plywood and attach table legs. Use L-brackets to keep the lid steady.
Add a mirror and bulbs to the lid. Place an organizer for your skincare and makeup essentials. Ta-da! Your glam station is ready!
12. Jewelry Organizer
Tangled necklaces, misplaced earrings, scratches on that gorgeous shiny bracelet. Ugh, the struggle is real!
But don’t worry, we have got your back.
Add a row of hooks on the suitcase lid for necklaces and on the inner sides of the case for bracelets. Attach multiple elastic bands across the lid to hang earrings and secure necklaces. Place aesthetic dishes for bangles and rings. Bonus points if you line it with soft velvet or a cute print.
Trust me, you’ll feel like a princess every time you reach for your jewelry!
13. Sewing Kit
If sewing is your happy place, this DIY suitcase sewing kit is the perfect way to show it off.
Line a small or medium suitcase with a solid or patterned fabric. Stitch two lines of elastic across the lid to snugly fit some tools like threads, scissors, pencils, and a seam ripper.
In the main compartment, organize assorted needles, thimbles, pins with pin cushion, fabric chalk, hooks, buttons, safety pins, and other essentials.
14. Decorative Storage cum Accent Piece
Some vintage suitcases have survived generations, outliving every trend and fad: they have a story you’d once narrate to your children. And what a shame would it be to transform them into something else!
Instead, clean it up, upgrade the hardware, line it with pretty fabric, and use it as elegant storage that doubles as decor. Stack it under a console table or on your center table. Its retro look instantly warms up any corner.
15. Planter
It’s old and beaten up, but is it done with adventures? Absolutely not!
Now, let your vintage suitcase begin a whole new chapter as a charming planter filled with greenery and blooms.
Keep the lid open at an angle. Drill drainage holes in the base and fill it with soil. Grow your favorite leafy plants or flowers. Blending rustic charm and the raw beauty of nature, it’s perfect to amp up balconies, gardens, or patios.
Try Out More Original DIY Ideas
Remember, these ideas are just the beginning. The true magic of upcycling lies in your own creative self, so let your mind run wild…
Want to combine the planter idea with wall-mounted shelves? Go for it. Think a suitcase will be better off as a chest for kids’ toys? Follow that spark.
The Sky’s the limit!
So, the next time you come across an old suitcase, don’t just sink into nostalgia. Think about how to keep it safe for the years to come.
