Antique shop, thrift store or consignment venue, you can almost always find vintage suitcases among the offerings. But are you looking for them? Not exactly going to use one of these babies to pack up your toothbrush et al and head off to France. People collect them for their patterns, their kitschness (is that even a word?) and storage. But there are so many other things that are possible with a vintage suitcase. So if you’re lucky enough to score one and don’t know what to do with your vintage suitcase, read on for some creative ideas.
What To Do With A Vintage Suitcase: Make An End Table
A table is probably one of the easiest things to make out of an old suitcase. Buy a set of screw-in legs online or from the hardware store. Alternatively, you can attach the suitcase to a stool, thereby creating legs for your table. With this idea, it’s best to stick to suitcases that have smooth sides so that the items you place atop your new, suitcase table with sit flatly. Cutting out a bit of the top panel, like the example from Pinterest on the right, will give you extra storage and easy access your items.
Or Make A Bar
Who doesn’t love a home bar? Nobody, that’s who. Well, a vintage suitcase is the perfect starting point for creating one. For this project, you’ll probably want longer (taller) legs so that the bar comes up to table or countertop height. You can repurpose a crate, like the example on the left, or reuse table legs like the one on the right. Table height legs are also readily available online, or check your local thrift or consignment shop, like Consignments Ltd. for an inexpensive table with screw in legs, and use them! You can also attach the suitcase directly to a small table and give your bar even more stability.
How About A Pet Bed
We don’t want to leave Fluffy out, when it comes to vintage suitcase projects. It you’ve got a cat or a smaller dog, creating a pet bed from a vintage suitcase is a snap. Add a little Memory Foam to the base. You can order these to exact size or buy cut-to-size options. Then cover the foam or just add a cozy blanket and pillow. Add legs if you like. Fluffy never had it so good.
Other Creative Uses For Vintage Suitcases
I have a board on Pinterest called “Creative Ideas.” I pin ideas there that are just so darn creative that I have to acknowledge them in some way, even if I never intend to make them myself. I save things like the faux VW van someone made from pallets that has been fashioned into an outdoor bench. The above three pictures came from that board. I mean, c’mon! Who wouldn’t love a vintage suitcase that’s been turned into a medicine cabinet? Or a vanity?
So keep on the lookout for these vintage beauties and get busy getting creative, my friends. If you’re still up for reading more, check out my previous blogs like: Creative Ideas For Thrift Mirrors and Creative Ideas For Old/Vintage Jewelry.
And Now For A Little Music Before We Go…
Have a lovely day, my friends. Marianne
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