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You are here: Home / DIY Upcycling / Upcycled vintage suitcase side table

Upcycled vintage suitcase side table

13th April 2016 by Claire Armstrong 57 Comments

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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).
 
Upcycled vintage suitcase side table.  This tutorial includes a free download of vintage travel stickers and labels.
 
Bergen travel labels for vintage suitcase upcycle
 
Upcycled Vintage suitcase side table - with free luggage label printables.
 

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 Norway

Bergen http://www.all-free-photos.com/


 
Upcycled suitcase side table - Pillarboxblue.com
 
 
This post contains amazon affiliate links for your convenience. Click here to see my disclosure policy.
 

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

  • The inside of the suitcase was in a particularly bad state so I ripped out the old lining and gave it a new one. In the past I have lined my suitcases with fabric such as my map case. However this time I decided to use wallpaper. The only reason I used wallpaper and not fabric is because I had some lovely Orla Kiely paper scraps left from previous upcycling projects that I thought would look great with this vintage case. The colour was perfect and the print had a lovely vintage vibe to it.
  •  

  • I cut out pieces of wallpaper to fit the sides and the lid of the suitcase with a small overlap. The wallpaper was applied using wallpaper paste.
  •  

  • As I was going to fit legs to my suitcase, I needed a firm base to attach them to. I cut a piece of plywood to fit the base of the suitcase, covered this in the wallpaper and inserted it into the case.
  •  
    Lining a vintage suitcase with wallpaper - Pillarboxblue.com
     
     

    PART TWO: Adding legs to a vintage suitcase

  • To turn this vintage case into a side table I needed to give it a bit of height. I bought four 6″ hairpin legs of amazon. Hairpin legs in various colours and styles.
  •  

  • To attach the legs to the suitcase I simply drilled holes in the bottom of the suitcase and using attached the hairpin legs by screwing through the bottom of the case and into the plywood base I’d inserted.
  •  
    Vintage suitcase side table _ Pillarboxblue.com
     

    PART THREE: Decorating the outside of a vintage suitcase

  • I printed out the luggage label and travel stickers pdf: Bergen Labels. I then cut these out very carefully.
  •  
    Bergen vintage luggage lables
     

  • Using a decoupage glue I stuck the cut out labels on to the suitcase. Some were stuck randomly, others were used to hide particularly bad blemishes on the case. I then covered the top of the labels with another couple of coats of the decoupage glue to protect them.
  •  

  • To complete the vintage travel look to my suitcase, I made a luggage label by printing out both sides of the Bergen Label pdf on to a cream coloured heavy paper and then sticking them back to back. I used an eyelet tool to punch a hole into the luggage tag and added a rivet and old twine to complete the vintage look.
  •  
    Vintage Bergen Luggage tag - Pillarboxblue.com
     
    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.
     
    Upcycled vintage suitcase side table and storage - Pillarboxblue.com
     
    Upcycled vintage suitcase side table - with free luggage label printables.
     
    Upcycled vintage suitcase side table with free luggage label printables.
     
    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
     
     

    Filed Under: DIY Upcycling Tagged With: bergen, coffee table, free download, hairpin legs, hotel stickers, luggage labels, nightstand, Norway, side table, suitcase, suitcase coffee table, travel labels, upcycle, upcycled vintage suitcase, vintage, vintage suitcase, vintage suitcase side table

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Aida G

      30th May 2016 at 2:06 pm

      I like it better next to that great map chair. The travel theme works!

      Reply
      • Claire Armstrong

        30th May 2016 at 2:52 pm

        Thank you !

        Reply
    2. Dawn

      12th May 2016 at 4:00 pm

      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

      Reply
      • Claire Armstrong

        12th May 2016 at 4:35 pm

        Wow that’s great look forward to seeing it, thank you very much.

        Reply
    3. Pamela

      3rd May 2016 at 3:49 am

      This is really cute. I love the vintage labeling and would never have thought of lining the inside with wall paper. Love it.
      Pam

      Reply
      • Claire Armstrong

        3rd May 2016 at 6:08 am

        Thank you ! Wallpaper is not just for walls I use it in loads of my projects.

        Reply
    4. Terry

      29th April 2016 at 12:26 pm

      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

      Reply
      • Claire Armstrong

        29th April 2016 at 12:53 pm

        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.

        Reply
    5. Jackie W

      24th April 2016 at 12:24 pm

      Hi Claire
      I knew you would find a great use for my labels, the whole project looks very cool. Very impressed:-)

      Jackie

      Reply
      • Claire Armstrong

        24th April 2016 at 3:26 pm

        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.

        Reply
    6. Kim

      21st April 2016 at 4:36 pm

      What an awesome suitcase, but even more awesome is what you turned it into! I love it! #HomeMattersParty

      Reply
      • Claire Armstrong

        21st April 2016 at 5:45 pm

        Thank you ! Glad you like the transformation.

        Reply
    7. Sharon@BlueWillowHouse

      21st April 2016 at 12:28 am

      In a word ADORABLE. I love vintage luggage and you repurposed yours so cleverly.

      Reply
      • Claire Armstrong

        21st April 2016 at 6:07 am

        Thank you and cheers!

        Reply
    8. Sandra

      20th April 2016 at 10:14 pm

      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!

      Reply
      • Claire Armstrong

        21st April 2016 at 6:08 am

        Thank you ! & good luck finding a suitcase hopefully you’ll find one soon.

        Reply
    9. Christine

      19th April 2016 at 12:21 pm

      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.

      Reply
      • Claire Armstrong

        19th April 2016 at 1:07 pm

        Thank you ! I do love the labels too !

        Reply
    10. Betty

      19th April 2016 at 5:18 am

      Thank you for sharing at the Thursday Favorite Things blog hop

      Reply
      • Claire Armstrong

        19th April 2016 at 6:29 am

        Your welcome !

        Reply
    11. Tuula @ Thrifty Rebel Vintage

      18th April 2016 at 11:20 pm

      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.

      Reply
      • Claire Armstrong

        19th April 2016 at 6:28 am

        Thank you ! It was Orla Kiely wallpaper she has some fantastic designs all with a retro feel.

        Reply
    12. Pili

      18th April 2016 at 3:08 pm

      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

      Reply
      • Claire Armstrong

        18th April 2016 at 7:35 pm

        You should definately visit Norway if you get the chance it’s an amazing place. Thanks

        Reply
    13. Laura

      18th April 2016 at 11:24 am

      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

      Reply
      • Claire Armstrong

        18th April 2016 at 11:27 am

        Thank you and thanks for the invite.

        Reply
    14. Julie Briggs

      17th April 2016 at 8:14 pm

      What a great find, and I LOVE what you did with it!! SO COOL!

      Reply
      • Claire Armstrong

        17th April 2016 at 8:20 pm

        Cheers and thank you!

        Reply
    15. RebeccaHJ

      17th April 2016 at 1:25 pm

      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 🙂 🙂 🙂

      Reply
      • Claire Armstrong

        17th April 2016 at 3:43 pm

        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.

        Reply
    16. Sheri

      17th April 2016 at 4:16 am

      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!

      Reply
      • Claire Armstrong

        17th April 2016 at 6:48 am

        Thank you ! The quilt I made many years ago.

        Reply
    17. creativejewishmom/sara

      16th April 2016 at 10:11 pm

      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!

      Reply
      • Claire Armstrong

        17th April 2016 at 6:47 am

        Thank you ! You should visit if you can it is a stunning place.

        Reply
    18. Audra @ Renewed Projects

      16th April 2016 at 2:11 pm

      Wow! With all that TLC you’ve given this already character filled trunk more charm! Love it!

      Reply
      • Claire Armstrong

        16th April 2016 at 3:38 pm

        Thank you! I do love it with the travel stickers.

        Reply
    19. Jenny Kavanagh

      16th April 2016 at 1:35 pm

      Ohhhhhh how I love this Claire!

      Reply
      • Claire Armstrong

        16th April 2016 at 3:36 pm

        Thank you and cheers !

        Reply
    20. Mary - The Boondocks Blog

      15th April 2016 at 10:07 pm

      Claire this is the coolest upcycle. I have an old suitcase I’m thinking to upcycle also. I’m pinning.

      Reply
      • Claire Armstrong

        15th April 2016 at 10:24 pm

        Thank you ! Good luck with your upcycle.

        Reply
    21. Keri

      15th April 2016 at 3:53 pm

      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!!

      Reply
      • Claire Armstrong

        15th April 2016 at 5:37 pm

        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.

        Reply
        • Keri

          16th April 2016 at 3:31 am

          Claire, it’s really cool wallpaper! I’m glad you came to the party!! 🙂

          Reply
          • Claire Armstrong

            16th April 2016 at 6:54 am

            Thank you !

            Reply
    22. Linda @ Itsy Bits And Pieces

      14th April 2016 at 6:28 pm

      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…

      Reply
      • Claire Armstrong

        14th April 2016 at 7:38 pm

        Thank you ! So we both have husbands with family from Bergen.

        Reply
    23. Michelle L

      14th April 2016 at 2:19 pm

      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!

      Reply
      • Claire Armstrong

        14th April 2016 at 2:37 pm

        Thank you very much you are very kind. Good luck with your vintage suitcase.

        Reply
    24. Rachel @ Smart Mom Smart Ideas

      14th April 2016 at 9:39 am

      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.

      Reply
      • Claire Armstrong

        14th April 2016 at 11:15 am

        Thank you ! That sound like a good idea he could keep his computer games in it.

        Reply
    25. Jill

      13th April 2016 at 9:50 pm

      Really clever, I love it, and especially that you can store magazines in it 🙂
      Jillx

      Reply
      • Claire Armstrong

        13th April 2016 at 9:59 pm

        Thank you ! I have a bit of a magazine habit so the extra storage is really handy.

        Reply
    26. Linda

      13th April 2016 at 8:08 pm

      Very cool idea 🙂
      And thanks for the labels!

      Reply
      • Claire Armstrong

        13th April 2016 at 9:29 pm

        Thank you & your welcome.

        Reply

    Trackbacks

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