5 Uses for Vintage Suitcases

Hard-shell vintage suitcases aren't hard to find in thrift shops, and their compact design makes them versatile pieces in the home. We've published a few ways to use them on AT...

• At the foot of the bed, use a vintage suitcase on a folding luggage rack or on top of a bench to hold extra blankets.

• Store out-of-season clothes in vintage suitcases underneath the bed or up high on a shelf to create more space in your closet.

• A stack of small, flat-topped suitcases can serve as a nightstand with built-in storage next to the bed.

• Take the top off a vintage suitcase and stuff it with a pillow for a DIY pet bed. Click here for the how-to.

• Pair a suitcase with legs to create unexpected furniture, like these chairs or this ottoman.

Let us know your ideas for repurposing vintage suitcases in the comments below.

Photo: Suitcases from Ready Set Go

Comments (15)

a vintage cosmetic bag works great as a sewing basket

posted by satamrit on August 11th 2008 at 12:36pm
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i have been using my two vintage samsonite suitecases as a bedside table for years. it's a great storage system as they hold my winter clothes in the summer and my summer clothes in the winter.

posted by dosergirl on August 11th 2008 at 12:38pm
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I have a pair of 60s Samsonite suitcases in a lavender color with the prettiest pink satin interior. I use mine as.. suitcases! They're the perfect size for weekend trips! and much, much more stylish than anything else currently out there.

posted by sophisticatedsoul on August 11th 2008 at 12:52pm
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i've been meaning to buy a train case to serve as a key/wallet catchall for our landing strip.

posted by selena on August 11th 2008 at 1:00pm
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I use a Tiara train case as a sewing basket.

BTW, a nice coat of Armor-all really makes an old suitcase look good.

posted by ohjodi on August 11th 2008 at 1:13pm
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Thanks for that idea, "Satamrit". I have a pink vintage cosmetic bag sitting in my closet. Didn't know what to do with it.

posted by danze on August 11th 2008 at 1:34pm
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I'm totally insane about them.

I have 3 stacked on a closet shelf storing linens. In the bedroom I have one for belts, one for hats, one for headbands, and 2 for sweaters. In the sewing room: 6 for fabric, and 2 trunks for fabric/bits&trims.

posted by verhext on August 11th 2008 at 1:49pm
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Use a large one to store wrapping paper, ribbons, bows, gift bags, and all your gift wrapping goodies.

posted by bipolarbear on August 11th 2008 at 2:02pm
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I *just* saw pictures of vintage hard shell suitcases on a design blog and had an "aha" moment. I've been looking for a way to store old family photographs. I'm not a person who cares that they're in any order, especially as time goes by. When I saw the light blue Samsonite, it reminded me of family vacations and I thought it would be the perfect "box" storage for loose photographs.

posted by backgarage on August 11th 2008 at 3:53pm
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Anthropologie has been using old suitcase as tables - attaching wooden legs to the bottom and painting them. I snapped a picture with my cellphone here:

http://renovationtherapy.wordpress.com/2008/04/30/furnace-floor-financials-finalized/

posted by I Love Upstate on August 11th 2008 at 4:43pm
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design sprout shows how to use one to make a dog bed. so cute. basically buy an old dog bed that fits in there, cover with vintage blanket/afghan.. there you go. very cute.

posted by animalhouze on August 11th 2008 at 4:48pm
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My room mate in college was a graphic design major and she used her vintage suitcase to hold all her gorgeous work when she went on interviews. It made a great unique first impression.

posted by texie on August 12th 2008 at 5:58am
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I use a hard shell suitcase to store DVDs.

posted by elisabeth mae on August 12th 2008 at 9:12am
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I have a few- one is an old tweed covered one that I've used to heighten my lamp on a side board, and the other one I'm using as a case for our turntable- it's a dj model, and I hate the way the cases look for those, so we drilled a few holes into a vintage blue samsonite I found on the street and voila- a stylish turntable case!

posted by spotonmeg on August 19th 2008 at 7:42am
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hey there! so, i was just doing a search for a link to put on our shop that shows people how to use vintage luggage for all kinds of purposes and i came across this article and did a double take because i shot this photograph!! thanks so much for featuring our set. it's been so cool reading everyone's comments on ways to use luggage- like the anthropologie table....anyways if anyone decides they need some luggage feel free to drop by our shop- we have a garage full of awesome pieces just waiting to be put to good use!
http://GetReadySetGo.ETSY.com
cheers!

posted by getreadysetgo on September 7th 2008 at 1:46pm
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