Discover inspiring ways to repurpose old vintage suitcases into functional home decor. From coffee tables to wall shelves, explore DIY projects that blend the nostalgia of yesteryears with contemporary style and utility.
Remember the days when vintage suitcases were the norm? They may not be practical for modern travelling – heavy and lacking the convenience of built-in wheels –but they certainly have an undeniable charm.
Lugging them around was like a gym workout, a far cry from today’s wheel-equipped luggage that saves our backs. It’s no wonder train stations and airports were bustling with porters, a sight now rare in our times of self-sufficient travel.
Decorating With Old Suitcases
Despite their impracticality in today’s world, there’s something irresistibly appealing about an old vintage suitcase. They carry stories of past adventures and a vintage aesthetic that’s hard to replicate.
That’s why they make such fantastic home decor items, bringing a touch of nostalgic elegance into our living room. Old luggage can provide creative ways to achieve extra storage.
I’ve always had a soft spot for these charming relics. Picking up vintage suitcases from flea markets or the thrift shop for almost nothing has become a hobby of mine.
They are, without a doubt, one of my favourite things to upcycle. A few are currently sitting in my loft, eagerly awaiting their transformation.
This post contains DIY projects and creative ideas for bringing new life into beautiful vintage suitcases and repurposing them from past travel companions into stylish, functional vintage suitcase decor, merging the charm of old suitcases with modern functionality.
Upcycling Old Suitcases: DIY Decor and Storage Solutions
Transform your home with unique storage and decor ideas using old vintage suitcases. Get creative with DIY tutorials for everything from bedside tables to pet beds, adding a touch of vintage elegance to every room.
Fun Decoupage Ideas: Vintage Map Suitcase
This project is perfect for travel enthusiasts. By affixing a world map to both the inside and outside of a vintage suitcase, it's transformed into a stunning and inspiring piece. This creative touch celebrates exploration, making the suitcase a unique map decor item and additional storage that evokes the thrill of adventure.
Easy No Sew Denim Suitcase Tutorial
One of the most fun ways to repurpose old suitcases is using a pair of old jeans. This fabric decoupage is especially effective for vintage suitcases showing signs of wear and tear, as it gives them a fresh, unique look without the need for any sewing. It's a great way to breathe new life into an old piece.
Vintage Suitcase Table
Get an old suitcase add an antique world map and some Mod Podge. Then screw on some fancy legs and you have a beautiful suitcase side table.
Floral Decoupage Suitcase
Discover the art of turning small suitcases into captivating, decorative pieces with floral paper decoupage and transforming a classic suitcase into an eye-catching and fun item for your home. Ideal for both crafting beginners and enthusiasts, this method is a delightful way to create unique and personalized decor pieces.
Vintage Luggage Decor with an Old Suitcase
Upon seeing a beautiful yet pricey vintage suitcase in an antique store, Saddie was inspired to craft a more budget-friendly version using a worn suitcase discovered at a flea market. This full tutorial will guide you through restoring an old suitcase.
How to Make Easy DIY Suitcase Shelves
This is a great way of decorating with old suitcases, with the help of a few powerful tools, turning them into wall shelves.
Vintage Suitcase Chair
Adding small legs and upholstering a suitcase can transform it into an adorable, functional chair. This great idea is especially perfect for children and pets, as it provides seating at the perfect height.
Vintage Suitcase Nightstand
Repurpose an old suitcase into a bedside table with character by using hairpin legs. Make it memorable by decorating it with luggage stickers from your favourite places. This tutorial also includes free printables.
DIY Suitcase Medicine Cabinet
Interior designers love these as they are unique storage cabinets for the bathroom. Who'd have thought a bathroom cabinet could look so interesting? Check out these other medicine cabinet ideas.
Suitcase Puppet Theater Tutorial
You can transform an old suitcase into a kid's portable puppet theatre with a few craft supplies and different materials.
Upcycle Style: Suitcase Dollhouse
If your looking for creative projects then this is certainly one of them. It's incredibly cute – it makes me wish I had a little one to craft it for. You could even tailor it to a superhero theme by modifying the chalkboard on the outside. The possibilities are endless and so much fun!
DIY Suitcase Side Table
Another suitcase end table tutorial. This one has a more mid-century modern vibe than those made with antique suitcases.
Repurpose a Suitcase into a No-Sew Pet Bed
Transforming old suitcases in good shape into cosy pet beds is a wonderful way to repurpose luggage, providing a comfortable and stylish resting spot for your furry friend.
Platform 9 3/4 Inspired Accent Wall
This is decorating with old suitcases for Harry Potter fans. It's a lovely way to add fun to the dead space under the stairs.
Old Trunk Into a Bookshelf
Make good use of the corner in the room by adding one of these fun but functional bookcases made from an old trunk.
Vintage Sewing Case
Don't forget old suitcases are still great for storage, like with this adorable portable sewing case. It's like a giant sewing kit!
Vintage Suitcase Decorative Storage
Learn how to paint a suitcase and add decorative stencils to give it a Parisian feel for fun decorative storage.
Upcycle a Vintage Suitcase Into Fall Decor
Another fantastic way to upcycle vintage suitcases into decorative items for the home. The plaid stencil and orange paint are a perfect choice for fall.
Vintage Suitcase Upcylced Into Portable Bar
This DIY portable suitcase bar is an excellent addition for picnics and barbecues, and it also serves as a thoughtful, handmade gift idea for men.
Upcycled Leather Bag With Paint and Print
While this is a leather briefcase and not precisely a suitcase, the same upcycling methods, like spray painting and image transferring, can be applied to refresh an old case.
Upcycle Old Suitcase Coffee Table
Creating coffee tables from old suitcases adds a unique touch to home decor. Simply paint or decoupage the suitcase and attach legs that complement your interior style.
Hopefully, you have found something to inspire your next upcycling project with this collection of vintage old suitcase ideas.
Part of the charm of old suitcases is their battered and worn look. However, if your suitcase has been a bit too big in the wars, don’t forget to decoupage it, it can hide a lot of damage.
Other Related Ideas
Another delightful upcycling project for the home involves old baskets. Look at how I painted a wicker basket for Christmas – a similar technique could be applied to an old suitcase.
My fascination with old suitcases extends to my collection of shoeboxes crafted to resemble vintage suitcases, creating whimsical and functional storage.
Don’t forget to explore my other creative storage ideas, such as these innovative repurposed wooden crates and unique upcycled denim storage solutions.
Suitcases featured under S in the ultimate A to Z of upcycling ideas.
If you don’t have any old vintage suitcases, you can still get that decorating with a vintage suitcase; look by painting a dresser to look like them, just like Michelle did at Acraftymix.
This post was updated in 2024
Darlene
Wednesday 17th of August 2022
I have some old suit cases I would love to try some of your ideas. Do you have an email blog to follow?
Claire Armstrong
Thursday 18th of August 2022
Thank you, there is an email subscription form on the page. But I can added manually if you want.
Sam - Raggedy Bits
Thursday 15th of March 2018
So many great ideas for Vintage Suitcases! Love them all!!
Claire Armstrong
Thursday 15th of March 2018
Thank you, Sam.
yuni
Tuesday 13th of March 2018
i love the one with the map! such great ideas!
Claire Armstrong
Tuesday 13th of March 2018
Thank you, I love the map one to it sits in my fireplace.
Michelle Leslie
Tuesday 13th of March 2018
Love these idea so much Claire. It's becoming so difficult to find vintage suitcases now and they are so appealing. It always makes me think of far away places and long voyages to foreign lands
Claire Armstrong
Tuesday 13th of March 2018
Thank you! I have an auction house near me and they come up regularly. I’ve actually got one sitting in my loft waiting to be upcycled.
Sherry
Tuesday 13th of March 2018
These are all fabulous projects. I can not pass up a vintage suitcase when I come across one.
Claire Armstrong
Tuesday 13th of March 2018
Thank you, Sherry. I find them hard to resist too!