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Discover 16 creative ways to upcycle vintage suitcases. Transform them into shelves, pet beds, and more, adding functional style to your home.
If you’ve got an old suitcase collecting dust in the attic, it’s time to give it a new purpose!
Vintage suitcases aren’t just nostalgic treasures, they’re incredibly versatile for upcycling.
In this post, we’re diving into 16 creative and stylish ways to repurpose those old suitcases into functional pieces for your home.
Let’s get started on transforming those forgotten suitcases into fabulous home decor!
Upcycle Vintage Suitcase Ideas
Visit the website for step-by-step directions. All links will open in the same tab.
1. Crafting Suitcase from Inspire Co
Give an old suitcase a fresh look with this easy fabric mod-podge project. Using smaller fabric pieces helps avoid those pesky air bubbles.
2. Girl Dress-Up Suit Case from A Girl and A Glue Gun
Transform your suitcase into a stylish, girly accessory with this creative DIY project. Personalize it with fabric and decorations for a chic travel companion.
3. Boy Dress-Up Suit Case from A Girl and A Glue Gun
Create a dress-up suitcase for boys packed with fun costumes. Perfect for imaginative play, this suitcase will keep all their favorite outfits ready for adventure.
4. Doll House Suitcase from My Poppet
Transform a suitcase into a personalized dollhouse. This upcycle project is a fun way to create a mini-mansion, perfect for imaginative play.
5. Suitcase Boom Box from Make
Transform an old suitcase into a powerful boombox. With speakers, an amp, and rechargeable batteries, you’ll have a portable stereo that is loud and cool.
6. Vintage Suitcase Chair from See Kate Sew
Create a vintage suitcase chair that’s both stylish and sentimental. This project adds a nostalgic charm to your home.
7. Antique Trunk Bookshelf from Less than Perfect Life of Bliss
Transform an old, rough-looking trunk into a charming bookshelf. With a little TLC, this antique piece reveals its hidden potential as a unique storage solution.
8. Vintage Sewing Case from A Place to Roost
Transform a vintage suitcase into a portable sewing case. Keep your supplies organized for on-the-go sewing.
9. Suitcase Book Shelves from Grillo Designs
Transform a vintage leather suitcase into charming shelves with this simple DIY guide. A fun and easy way to add character and style to your home decor.
10. Make a Simple Suitcase Pet Bed from Capper's Farmer
A simple DIY project to turn a vintage suitcase into a cozy pet bed. Perfect for adding a stylish and comfy spot for your furry friend.
11. Suitcase Welcome Sign from Beyond the Picket Fence
Add a unique touch to your entry with a vintage suitcase welcome sign. Perfect for greeting guests with a bit of vintage flair!
12. Stacked Bedside Table from Cupcakes and Cashmere
Give your guest room a quick makeover with a stacked antique suitcases as a bedside table. It's a stylish and practical solution that instantly pulls the space together.
13. DIY Trunk to Rolling Bar from Apartment Therapy
This vintage suitcase just became a portable bar. A quirky and charming project that’s perfect for a timeless look.
14. Mod Podge Suitcase from Sew Can Do
Transform an old suitcase with Mod Podge in this inspiring tutorial. It’s time to get crafty and create something truly unique.
15. Reline a Vintage Suitcase from My Repurposed Life
Give your vintage suitcase a fresh new look with this lining tutorial. Perfect for adding a personal touch to any old suitcase, no matter the style.
16. A Vintage Suitcase Makeover from The Boondocks Blog
Transform a rusted vintage suitcase into a stylish piece of luggage. This simple makeover keeps the charm intact while giving it a fresh new life.
Crafting Essentials
- The Cricut Cutting Machine is easily my favorite crafting tool. We use it in so many of our tutorials!
- These MakerX Crafting Tools are perfect for keeping in the craft room and are always ready when needed!
- This Fiskars Paper Trimmer is easy to use and cuts nicely without frayed edges.
- These Scotch Precision Scissors cut like a dream, and you get multiple pairs in a pack!
Katie Adams
Creator at The Crafty Blog Stalker
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Lisa
Oh man! I have ONE old suitcase Id love to do something with. But there is so many ideas now, I dont know what I want to do!!! Thanks for sharing. Im also a new follower. 🙂
Tami Von Zalez
Who would've thunk? The dollhouse one piqued my interest ...
Popped in from YWW.
thriftshopcommando.blogspot.com
Eyelah
I like the suitcase table. Thats really cute.
Jessica Lucas
Nice collection of ideas - I have a little pink samsonite train case I picked up at Goodwill a while back, and it's a great place to keep my crochet supplies and one current project and a book/magazine.
Jess @ Tupelocreative.blogspot.com
Tif
SO AMAZINGLY ADORABLE! EACH ONE OF THEM!!!! I'm so glad I Found you thru the I Love My Online Friends GFC Hop! New Follower! YAY!
Tif
Ramblings of a Southern Belle
Lindy @ Veni Vidi Scrappy
These are so inspiring! I really like the suitcase flower garden! and the table...who would've thought! 🙂 Thanks for sharing!
Laura
Wow! These projects are sooooo amazing! I can't even decide which is my favorite! Thanks for putting them all in one place!
Curtains in My Tree
OMG Love all these
I knew I kept all my old suitcases for a project. of course they are all full of lace & buttons and more treasures I would have to clean out
thanks for showing us these pictures
Hubba
That dress up suitcase is such a great idea! Thanks for the ideas.
Kadie
How fun!! I love all the suitcase ideas! I will keep an eye out for one next time I'm "thrifting". Thanks for partying with us at Link It Up Thursday.:)
Cathy @ My 1929 Charmer
Some great suitcase inspiration. I love all the projects show, but my favorite for my own is for a vignette or a planter. Thanks for sharing your creative inspiration with Sunday’s Best – you helped make the party a success! PS - following you on Linky!
Nicole@Show Off Friday
Wow! That's a lot of amazing things to do with an old suitcase! I think I really like the dollhouse suitcase best.
Buffie Nelson
Thanks for all the great ideas! I have a few vintage suitcases and so afraid to alter them. Your collection of pictures has made me feel a bit braver.
Buffie
Tammy
What a cute collection of ideas! Thanks for gathering and posting them for us. I really love old suitcases, but I'm not sure the hubs can take one more collection. hehe
Becca Diestelkamp-Woodham
Great ideas! I love the chair the most. Thanks for sharing! Stop by my Friday's Five Features and link up this post (and others)! http://diy-vintage-chic.blogspot.com
Lauren Davison
I love vintage suitcases and these are some awesome ideas! coming over from the blog hop to say hi!
Lauren
Sarah
Fun ideas! Thanks for posting!
Ann McLeod
I love this!! I actually have some displayed in my shop for my small sale items..."trunk sale"
Ann @ The Rustic RedHead
Katie Adams
What a fun idea and great play on words!
Wanda Ann Olsen
Katie,
I absolutely LOVE this post. I have a old suitcase in my craft room that I painted and redone the inside but mine doesn't look anything like these. I can't decide which one is my favorite!
Thank you for sharing at Tuesday Trivia. Be sure and check back for Friday Features (-;
Hugs,
Wanda Ann @ Memories by the Mile