Upcycled Vintage Suitcase Side Table
I found a gorgeous mustardy yellow vintage suitcase, which I upcycled into a fabulous side table. Not only that, I added extra character to the case with some vintage luggage labels. You can download these vintage luggage labels here for free. This vintage suitcase side table looks great either bedside table or as a coffee table. The storage it creates is an added bonus.
My sister in-law has a fabulous collection of vintage luggage labels and hotel stickers from Bergen which she kindly lent me for this project. I have scanned these lovely labels into a pdf which you can download and use for your own projects (see below).
Why Bergen ?
If you have been following my blog you will know that I like to personalise my crafty creations whenever possible. My husband’s family are originally from Bergen in Norway and it is one of our favourite places in the world. Being brought up in Hong Kong I have travelled extensively, especially around Asia and Europe.
Norway is the most stunningly beautiful country I have ever visited. If it wasn’t also the most expensive Paul and I would be tempted to live in the Fjords. I’d already made a map chair to celebrate my love of Norway, so I decided to continue with this theme when decorating my vintage suitcase side table.
Bergen http://www.all-free-photos.com/
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How to make an upcycled vintage suitcase sidetable
I was lucky to find this suitcase at my local auction house, and because it was in a bit of a poor state, I managed to pick it up for just a couple of pounds. I’m always on the lookout for old suitcases at the auction or in charity shops. I can normally pick them up very cheaply as I’m happy to have the more unloved suitcase ready to revamp into something wonderful like my denim suitcase.
Part of the charm of this particular case was its colour and aged look so I didn’t want to do too much to the outside of it. I just gave it a good clean with some leather cleaner. I used wire wool to scrape away an excess rust from the hinges and lock.
PART ONE: Relining a vintage suitcase
PART TWO: Adding legs to a vintage suitcase
PART THREE: Decorating the outside of a vintage suitcase
I love this upcycled vintage suitcase side table not only does it look great with all those lovely old luggage labels and hotel stickers but it’s really handy for storing my magazines.
If you like the Vintage suitcase side table you may also like my nightstand post:
DIY Nightstand from an old wine crate
Or you might like my other vintage suitcase posts
Easy no sew denim suitcase
Brilliant vintage map suitcase
Aida G
I like it better next to that great map chair. The travel theme works!
Claire Armstrong
Thank you !
Dawn
Just pure awesomesauce!! I love so many bits, especially the snazzy legs, liner & stickers! Great upcycle – I’ll be featuring your DIY at this week’s Friday Favorites – thanks for linking up to #fridayfavs
Claire Armstrong
Wow that’s great look forward to seeing it, thank you very much.
Pamela
This is really cute. I love the vintage labeling and would never have thought of lining the inside with wall paper. Love it.
Pam
Claire Armstrong
Thank you ! Wallpaper is not just for walls I use it in loads of my projects.
Terry
This really is very cool! I love that you lined it and chose the hairpin legs for it. Your choices for the details really keep with the style of the case. Well done! I hope you have a great weekend!
Smiles!
Terry
The Curator’s Collection & Making Broken Beautiful
Claire Armstrong
Thank you very much. The case was so lovely that I didn’t want to change it too much just tidy it up a bit.
Jackie W
Hi Claire
I knew you would find a great use for my labels, the whole project looks very cool. Very impressed:-)
Jackie
Claire Armstrong
Thank you ! Glad you liked it. Maybe you could get some more labels when Paul finally organises that trip to Bergen he’s been promising you.
Kim
What an awesome suitcase, but even more awesome is what you turned it into! I love it! #HomeMattersParty
Claire Armstrong
Thank you ! Glad you like the transformation.
Sharon@BlueWillowHouse
In a word ADORABLE. I love vintage luggage and you repurposed yours so cleverly.
Claire Armstrong
Thank you and cheers!
Sandra
There was way more to this project than meets the eye! This is a great transformation Claire. While out thrifting I’m always on the lookout for old suitcases but haven’t found one yet. Thank you for joining us again this week at Celebrate Your Story link party and we can’t wait to see your next project!
Claire Armstrong
Thank you ! & good luck finding a suitcase hopefully you’ll find one soon.
Christine
Loving this upcycle! The labels make is just perfect. You did a wonderful job. So glad you shared this at the Dishing It & Digging It Link Party.
Claire Armstrong
Thank you ! I do love the labels too !
Betty
Thank you for sharing at the Thursday Favorite Things blog hop
Claire Armstrong
Your welcome !
Tuula @ Thrifty Rebel Vintage
That suitcase is really fabulous Claire! I love the funky wallpaper that you used on the inside. How fun to have those labels to decorate the outside. It makes a great side table. Thanks so much for sharing at Vintage Charm.
Claire Armstrong
Thank you ! It was Orla Kiely wallpaper she has some fantastic designs all with a retro feel.
Pili
A close friend of us is from Norway too, and we can’t wait to visit the Fjords. They go each summer to visit family, and I think it would be the best season for me too… cold and I are not big friends…
Love that old suitcase, and it looks wonderful as a side table, really cool!!
Thanks for sharing with us at Sweet Inspiration party!! I hope you have a wonderful week!!
Hugs,
Pili
Claire Armstrong
You should definately visit Norway if you get the chance it’s an amazing place. Thanks
Laura
Claire this is wonderful.
And thank you for providing such a step by step tutorial.
Plus the labels? Amazing!
I hope you will share this at Thoughts of Home on Thursday this week.
We would love to have you.
Just stop by my blog at http://www.whitespraypaintblog.com on Thursday to join in.
Enjoyed visiting,
Laura
White Spray Paint
Claire Armstrong
Thank you and thanks for the invite.
Julie Briggs
What a great find, and I LOVE what you did with it!! SO COOL!
Claire Armstrong
Cheers and thank you!
RebeccaHJ
OMG I love this upcycle! I am already a huge fan of vintage suitcases and labels, and Bergen is on my list of places to visit. So inspired right now. Thank you 🙂 🙂 🙂
Claire Armstrong
Thank you! You should definitely go to Bergen, even though it’s expensive it’s easy and cheap to get too and well worth the visit.
Sheri
Wow you did a great job on refurbishing that vintage suitcase and thanks for the instructions! The denim quilt on the bed is perfect too! Thanks for linking up with Funtastic Friday!
Claire Armstrong
Thank you ! The quilt I made many years ago.
creativejewishmom/sara
wow, great project and it looks fabulous with the jean quilt! And those vintage luggage labels, fabulous. I would love to visit Norway and hope to someday, but sooner than later! thanks so much for sharing on craft schooling sunday!
Claire Armstrong
Thank you ! You should visit if you can it is a stunning place.
Audra @ Renewed Projects
Wow! With all that TLC you’ve given this already character filled trunk more charm! Love it!
Claire Armstrong
Thank you! I do love it with the travel stickers.
Jenny Kavanagh
Ohhhhhh how I love this Claire!
Claire Armstrong
Thank you and cheers !
Mary - The Boondocks Blog
Claire this is the coolest upcycle. I have an old suitcase I’m thinking to upcycle also. I’m pinning.
Claire Armstrong
Thank you ! Good luck with your upcycle.
Keri
Claire, love this suitcase table!! The labels look so awesome on it!! I have to ask about the wall with what looks like wallpaper, did you have a tutorial on how you painted or covered the wall, it’s really cool!! I would like to invite you to link up to our party, Sweet Inspiration Link Party that starts on Friday and runs until Tuesday. Hope to see you there!!
Claire Armstrong
Thank you ! The wall is actually a frames wallpaper by Graham & Brown it’s in my dining room and makes for a handy backdrop for photos. Thanks for the invite.
Keri
Claire, it’s really cool wallpaper! I’m glad you came to the party!! 🙂
Claire Armstrong
Thank you !
Linda @ Itsy Bits And Pieces
This is such a wonderful project…I love your old suitcase and how you used it! Thanks SO much for sharing the Bergen labels! My husband’s family hails from this area, and we try to make art with meaning to us…he will love these! Hopped over from Vintage Charm party…
Claire Armstrong
Thank you ! So we both have husbands with family from Bergen.
Michelle L
This is so awesome, gorgeous and chic! So nice of you to make those beautiful labels available! What a cool project, I am excited to try it with one of my vintage suitcases. You rock, Claire!
Claire Armstrong
Thank you very much you are very kind. Good luck with your vintage suitcase.
Rachel @ Smart Mom Smart Ideas
Love this idea! It has so many uses. I was thinking it would work well in my son’s bedroom he is getting to be a teen or in a game room/TV room.
Claire Armstrong
Thank you ! That sound like a good idea he could keep his computer games in it.
Jill
Really clever, I love it, and especially that you can store magazines in it 🙂
Jillx
Claire Armstrong
Thank you ! I have a bit of a magazine habit so the extra storage is really handy.
Linda
Very cool idea 🙂
And thanks for the labels!
Claire Armstrong
Thank you & your welcome.