10 Beautiful, Durable Leather DIY Projects To Match Your Skill Level (Even for Total Newbies)

Katie Holdefehr

published Apr 21, 2017

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Leather, whether real or faux, is the ideal material for projects you plan to live with and use every day. Durable and beautiful, leather drawer pulls can be tugged at thousands of times without breaking, while a leather sunglasses case can be toted on trips for years without falling apart. If this is your first foray into leather-working, don’t be intimidated—consult our straight-forward intro to the art, then dive into one of the projects that follow, ranked by difficulty.

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Difficulty Level: Beginner

(Image credit: Earnest Home Co)

What’s better than a luxe leather mousepad? How about one with a glitzy rose-gold finish? Check out Earnest Home Co for the simple three-step how-to.

(Image credit: Houseologie)

To add just the simplest touch of leather to furniture you already own, craft these leather drawer pulls found on Houseologie.

(Image credit: Almost Makes Perfect)

For all you shutterbugs out there, Almost Makes Perfect shares how to craft a professional-looking leather strap for your camera.

Difficulty Level: Intermediate

(Image credit: DIY in PDX)

Apartment Therapy contributor Rachel Jacks of DIY in PDXassembled these handy catchalls using scraps of leather.

(Image credit: The Merrythought)

In a protective leather cover, this sketchbook can be carried along on every excursion without fear of getting destroyed. Find the simple instructions on The Merrythought.

(Image credit: Burkatron)

Continually proving that simple is often the most stunning, Burkatron‘s minimalist shelf calls for just two supplies: a wooden board and leather straps.

Difficulty Level: Some Serious Skills

(Image credit: Always Rooney)

Whip up this sunglasses case from Always Rooney just in time for summer vacation.

(Image credit: Iron & Twine / Apartment Therapy)

We featured these DIY storage bins from Iron & Twine a few years ago, but we still can’t help but admire the genius reuse of cardboard boxes and old leather belts. Find the full instructions here.

(Image credit: Alice & Lois)

For an alternative storage DIY, try this coiled rope basket with sturdy leather handles from Alice & Lois.

(Image credit: Erin Francois for Sugar & Cloth)

Coveting a cognac-colored leather couch she wasn’t in the market to buy, Erin from Francois et Moi decided to craft this woven leather bench for Sugar & Cloth instead.