Unique Upcycles of Vintage Suitcases You Might Not Have Thought Of
Vintage suitcases aren’t very practical for traveling with these days, but they do look good!
They are heavy and don’t have inbuilt wheels. Lugging them around is like a gym workout. Now everyone wants a modern suitcase with wheels just to save their backs if nothing else.
That’s why train stations and airports used to be full of porters ready to carry your luggage for you. I can’t remember the last time I used a porter, do they still exist?
However, there is something very charming and appealing about vintage suitcases, that’s why they look so great revamped into some sort of home decor item.
I’m always picking up vintage suitcases for next to nothing. They are one of my favourite things to upcycle, I’ve got a few sitting in my loft at the moment waiting to be pimped.
Decoupaged suitcases….
1. Brilliant Vintage map suitcase – Pillarboxblue
This is definitely one for those with wanderlust. Just adding a world map to both the inside and outside transformed a vintage suitcase into something awesome.
2. No Sew Denim Patchwork Suitcase – Pillar Box Blue
Just add a pair of old jeans, this is a great way to transform a vintage suitcase that has seen a bit of wear and tear. No sewing involved either.
3. Make your own floral suitcase – A Beautiful Mess
These suitcases are just so colourful and gorgeous.
Vintage suitcase furniture …
4. Vinatage Suitcase Side table – Sadieseasongoods
I love the contrast of the chunky legs with this suitcase and the luggage tag detail. This would look awesome in any entrance way.
5. Vintage Suitcase Shelves – Grillo Designs
How about making some fabulous unique shelves with old cases?
6. Vintage suitcase Chair – See Kate Sew
As well as adding little legs, upholster the suitcase to create a cute little chair.
7. Suitcase Pet Bed – Sadieseasongoods
Old suitcases aren’t just for grown ups, they can be adapted for pets too!
8. Vintage suitcase sidetable – Pillarboxblue
This is such a cool bedside table for those with wanderlust. Comes with handy storage too!
9. Bathroom Vanity With Upcycled Suitcase – Heathered Nest
This has got to be one of my favourite suitcase upcycles, and I just love the map lining. Great tutorial too!
10. Suitcase coffee table – DIY Network
Add hairpin legs and hey presto you have a table!
Other great suitcase ideas…
11. Suitcase into Puppet Theater – Melly Sews
My kids would have loved one of these puppet theaters when they were younger.
12. Suitcase Dolls House – My Poppet
Another one for the kids. This is just so freaking adorable, I wish I had a little kid to make one for. You could even do a superhero lair version, just change the chalkboard on the outside to suit.
Hopefully, you have found something to inspire you to upcycle a vintage suitcase. Part of the charm of old suitcases is their battered and worn look. However, if your suitcase has been a bit too much in the wars, then don’t forget to decoupage, it can hide a lot of damage.
Sam - Raggedy Bits
15th March 2018 at 12:14 amSo many great ideas for Vintage Suitcases! Love them all!!
Claire Armstrong
15th March 2018 at 7:05 amThank you, Sam.
yuni
13th March 2018 at 3:04 pmi love the one with the map! such great ideas!
Claire Armstrong
13th March 2018 at 6:16 pmThank you, I love the map one to it sits in my fireplace.
Michelle Leslie
13th March 2018 at 2:15 pmLove 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
13th March 2018 at 6:17 pmThank 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
13th March 2018 at 1:57 pmThese are all fabulous projects. I can not pass up a vintage suitcase when I come across one.
Claire Armstrong
13th March 2018 at 6:18 pmThank you, Sherry. I find them hard to resist too!
cintia
31st May 2017 at 9:04 amThanks for including my suitcase doll house in your great roundup.
Claire Armstrong
31st May 2017 at 9:38 amYour doll house is such an adorable idea!
ΙΟΑΝΝΑ
19th May 2017 at 7:32 amI love the suitcases on deroration and espcially these with maps!!!The idea with the dollhouse very nice!!!Have a nice day!!!
Claire Armstrong
19th May 2017 at 10:22 amThank you, the dolls house is a great idea!
Marie
18th May 2017 at 11:53 amThese are all fantastic ideas! I love that puppet theater one (and all of the other ones, lol). These would make great upcycled gifts. Thanks for sharing your round-up with us at Merry Monday this week!
Claire Armstrong
18th May 2017 at 3:27 pmThank you, the puppet theater is lovely.
Sandra L Garth
17th May 2017 at 11:35 pmThose shelves are outrageous! You think of everything and may I borrow your creative cap for a while? I promise to give it back. Thank you for sharing with us this week at Celebrate Your Story, and I hope your week is going great.
Claire Armstrong
18th May 2017 at 6:49 amThank you so much and my week is going well so far.
Carol ("Mimi")
16th May 2017 at 12:55 pmThese are such clever up-cycling projects with old suitcases. It’s interesting to see how creative bloggers can be when re-using old objects in new ways.
Claire Armstrong
16th May 2017 at 6:26 pmThank you, yes it’s amazing all the different unique ways that people come up with when recycling the same thing.
Leanna
16th May 2017 at 4:38 amFun ideas. Vintage suitcases make me muse about where they have travelled to. They are perfect in a Den, I especially love the large trunk coffee table, its gorgeous.
Claire Armstrong
16th May 2017 at 6:23 amThank you the coffee table does look good with the hairpin legs.
Amber Harrop
15th May 2017 at 9:40 pmThe Dolls house is absolutely my favorite but I am a big fan of Elsie over at A Beautiful Mess for years so I have a soft spot for those suitcases too
Claire Armstrong
16th May 2017 at 6:25 amThank you, I think the doll house is an ingenious idea.
Menaka Bharathi
15th May 2017 at 11:37 amOh i just love these decorated vintage suitcases..I just loved the floral one..Totally beautiful
Simple Indian Mom Has Recently Published
*Menaka Bharathi *
Claire Armstrong
15th May 2017 at 4:23 pmThank you so much!
Cecilia
15th May 2017 at 1:07 amI love decorating with vintage luggage! Thanks for sharing @Vintage Charm!
Claire Armstrong
15th May 2017 at 6:10 amThank you Cecilia!
At Rivercrest Cottage
11th May 2017 at 1:13 pmso many cute ideas here. I think the blue jeans might be my favorite.
Claire Armstrong
11th May 2017 at 6:19 pmThank you, I use the blue jeans one for storage but have it on show.
Carrie
11th May 2017 at 2:40 amYou always have the cutest and most original projects! Loved your round up too!
Claire Armstrong
11th May 2017 at 6:07 amThank you Carrie that is very kind of you.
Nancy Jeannette
10th May 2017 at 8:24 pmWhat a fantastic idea for up-cycling vintage suitcases!
My favorite Is #4 Vintage Suitcase Side Table.
Thanks for the inspiration.
Claire Armstrong
11th May 2017 at 6:06 amThank you so much. I love the side table too it’s in my bedroom.
Lynn Spencer
10th May 2017 at 7:24 pmOh my heavens, what fun projects…can’t chose my favorite…maybe the shelves with the cut off suitcases.
Great inspiration.
Thanks Claire
Claire Armstrong
10th May 2017 at 7:26 pmThanks, the shelves do look fun.
Megin | VMG206
10th May 2017 at 3:03 pmThese are awesome! I love the ones with the maps and that coffee table – swoon!
I’m visiting from Wonderful Wednesday Link Party.
~ Megin of VMG206
Claire Armstrong
10th May 2017 at 7:24 pmThank you! The coffee table does look great.
Jen
10th May 2017 at 1:58 pmWhat great ideas! Pinning now. 🙂 If you’re interested, I host a weekly Be Clean Be Green With Kids link up on Wednesday and I think this would make a great addition. Hope to see you there! http://www.honestlymodern.com/tag/be-clean-be-green-with-kids/
Claire Armstrong
10th May 2017 at 7:23 pmThank you and thanks for the invite, I have linked up.