Decorating
Got Baggage? Stash Your Stuff in Old Trunks, Chests and Suitcases
Pack your bags and add heaps of character – and useful storage – to any room, with luggage of all shapes and sizes
From handsome mahogany and camphor wood campaign chests of the colonial era, to steamer trunks from the age of luxury trans-Atlantic sea voyages and battered suitcases covered with labels from exotic places, vintage luggage represents the allure of travel and more romantic times. It’s fun to wonder what they held, how far they have journeyed, and what dreams and schemes they hide. Let them tell their stories and take you on a journey, while they provide handy storage, all over the house.
Remember ‘beauty cases’? They came in a range of pastels and faux leather, had little keys that always got lost and lots of tricky nooks for cosmetics and essentials for the thoroughly modern ’70s girl. Cluster with a selection of vintage containers.
STASH: I still have one from last century and use it to store bathroom unmentionables. The top handle makes them ideal for keeping bottles of liquids upright when travelling. Also handy for jewellery.
STASH: I still have one from last century and use it to store bathroom unmentionables. The top handle makes them ideal for keeping bottles of liquids upright when travelling. Also handy for jewellery.
In your craft spot
Repurpose an old suitcase as a useful hold-all on an art, craft or sewing table.
STASH: Brushes, paints, scissors, paper, pencils, glue, tape, sewing equipment, and found bits and pieces that you plan to turn into something wonderful.
Repurpose an old suitcase as a useful hold-all on an art, craft or sewing table.
STASH: Brushes, paints, scissors, paper, pencils, glue, tape, sewing equipment, and found bits and pieces that you plan to turn into something wonderful.
In the dog house
Oh, lucky dog! A suitcase that has suffered at the hands of airport baggage handlers may have outlived its usefulness as luggage. Remove the top or bottom half, unscrew any sharp metal fittings and fill with the plumpest cushion for a very happy pet pal. It might be wise to line it with plastic and newspaper. This smart number even has legs. See how to make this bed.
STASH: Hmmm, maybe not dog biscuits.
More: 12 Character-Filled Spaces for Pets in the Home
Oh, lucky dog! A suitcase that has suffered at the hands of airport baggage handlers may have outlived its usefulness as luggage. Remove the top or bottom half, unscrew any sharp metal fittings and fill with the plumpest cushion for a very happy pet pal. It might be wise to line it with plastic and newspaper. This smart number even has legs. See how to make this bed.
STASH: Hmmm, maybe not dog biscuits.
More: 12 Character-Filled Spaces for Pets in the Home
In the playroom
Baby ballerinas and budding fashionistas need somewhere to fling their glad rags. Where better than a roomy vintage trunk?
STASH: Tutus, ballet slippers, wings, tiaras and all the girlie things a fairy princess needs for playing dress-ups.
Baby ballerinas and budding fashionistas need somewhere to fling their glad rags. Where better than a roomy vintage trunk?
STASH: Tutus, ballet slippers, wings, tiaras and all the girlie things a fairy princess needs for playing dress-ups.
An old wooden trunk is the perfect height for a tabletop for drawing, painting, colouring-in and writing while sitting on the floor. A pre-loved one won’t mind a few drips and scribbles.
STASH: Art equipment and toys that can be whisked away after playtime.
More: Toy Storage Ideas as Beautiful as They Are Brilliant
STASH: Art equipment and toys that can be whisked away after playtime.
More: Toy Storage Ideas as Beautiful as They Are Brilliant
In the entrance
A couple of pieces of decorative luggage stacked in the entrance, with an elegant arrangement on top, is a stylish and original sight to greet visitors.
STASH: Not really a storage option, but if you are short on space, trunks could serve as blanket storage for when you need extra bedding.
A couple of pieces of decorative luggage stacked in the entrance, with an elegant arrangement on top, is a stylish and original sight to greet visitors.
STASH: Not really a storage option, but if you are short on space, trunks could serve as blanket storage for when you need extra bedding.
In the fireplace
Fireplaces in summer can be unattractive gaping holes. After your last fire for the season, clean it out and fill with a brightly-painted battered metal trunk. It will look quite respectable until winter comes around again.
STASH: Firewood, kindling, newspaper, and matches, so you’ll be ready for that first nippy evening.
More: Have a Hearth: Make Your Fireplace Look Smokin’ Hot All Year Round
Fireplaces in summer can be unattractive gaping holes. After your last fire for the season, clean it out and fill with a brightly-painted battered metal trunk. It will look quite respectable until winter comes around again.
STASH: Firewood, kindling, newspaper, and matches, so you’ll be ready for that first nippy evening.
More: Have a Hearth: Make Your Fireplace Look Smokin’ Hot All Year Round
In the bathroom
A chunky timber trunk serves as a vanity in this very funky bathroom. Your plumber will be impressed!
STASH: Find a clever cabinet-maker to create some practical drawer space underneath and store loo paper, towels and toiletry supplies.
A chunky timber trunk serves as a vanity in this very funky bathroom. Your plumber will be impressed!
STASH: Find a clever cabinet-maker to create some practical drawer space underneath and store loo paper, towels and toiletry supplies.
At hair headquarters
Have a good hair day with a difference with an old suitcase on a sturdy base like a table or bench. This one appears to be wired up with backstage dressing room lights.
STASH: Hairdryer, styling brushes and combs, and hair products.
TIP: Pre-loved suitcases, having been closed up for years, frequently come with stale, musty odours. Often the only answer is to remove the lining, where the smells lurk – a shame if the lining is nice, although you could reline with modern or vintage fabric. Solutions include leaving the case open in the fresh air for a week; filling with kitty litter (cheap) or coffee grounds (expensive) – close the case for a few days then empty; spraying with a car deodoriser like Febreze (leave open to dry); or tossing in a handful of silica gel sachets.
Have a good hair day with a difference with an old suitcase on a sturdy base like a table or bench. This one appears to be wired up with backstage dressing room lights.
STASH: Hairdryer, styling brushes and combs, and hair products.
TIP: Pre-loved suitcases, having been closed up for years, frequently come with stale, musty odours. Often the only answer is to remove the lining, where the smells lurk – a shame if the lining is nice, although you could reline with modern or vintage fabric. Solutions include leaving the case open in the fresh air for a week; filling with kitty litter (cheap) or coffee grounds (expensive) – close the case for a few days then empty; spraying with a car deodoriser like Febreze (leave open to dry); or tossing in a handful of silica gel sachets.
At the end of the bed
Beds can look quite naked without something at the bottom. A battered trunk with a past makes a perching spot or somewhere to drape a dressing gown.
STASH: Pillows and linen.
TIP: If using for linen storage, check out the odour-busting suggestions above.
Beds can look quite naked without something at the bottom. A battered trunk with a past makes a perching spot or somewhere to drape a dressing gown.
STASH: Pillows and linen.
TIP: If using for linen storage, check out the odour-busting suggestions above.
In a light, sunny bedroom, cane is a practical budget-friendly option, looks beachy and can be moved around more easily than a heavy wooden chest. Give it a job as a laundry ‘basket’.
Beside your bed
Make a unique bedside table by attaching a suitcase to a stool. Screw in firmly from inside the case.
More: Bedside Tables With a Difference: 11 One-of-a-Kind Ideas
Make a unique bedside table by attaching a suitcase to a stool. Screw in firmly from inside the case.
More: Bedside Tables With a Difference: 11 One-of-a-Kind Ideas
Stack them up until they are the right height.
An upended wooden trunk is a reachable height for a higher bed and can be opened to access night needs.
STASH: Midnight snacks, books, magazines, tissues, and medication.
STASH: Midnight snacks, books, magazines, tissues, and medication.
In the wardrobe
Old suitcases under hanging clothes give character to a walk-in robe.
STASH: Keep shoes tidy and store spare clothes hangers, out-of-season clothing like sweaters and boots in summer, and wardrobe discards ready for donation to charity shops.
Old suitcases under hanging clothes give character to a walk-in robe.
STASH: Keep shoes tidy and store spare clothes hangers, out-of-season clothing like sweaters and boots in summer, and wardrobe discards ready for donation to charity shops.
In the office … or anywhere
This is a great way to upcycle a warped wooden cabinet or dresser. Give it a fresh lick of paint, remove drawers – they probably stick, anyway – and replace with a colourful selection of luggage.
STASH: Lots of uses here – as an office filing system, clothing or linen storage, in the bathroom, garage or kitchen.
This is a great way to upcycle a warped wooden cabinet or dresser. Give it a fresh lick of paint, remove drawers – they probably stick, anyway – and replace with a colourful selection of luggage.
STASH: Lots of uses here – as an office filing system, clothing or linen storage, in the bathroom, garage or kitchen.
Somewhere to display your artistry
Old timber or metal chests and trunks can be a canvas for your artistic flights of fancy. Change the colour and decoration at whim for a whole new look.
STASH: Turn your masterpiece into a handsome and individual wine cellar or unique end-of-bed storage for spare blankets and pillows.
Old timber or metal chests and trunks can be a canvas for your artistic flights of fancy. Change the colour and decoration at whim for a whole new look.
STASH: Turn your masterpiece into a handsome and individual wine cellar or unique end-of-bed storage for spare blankets and pillows.
If your artistic skills are basic, give an old metal trunk a couple of coats of bright high-gloss paint to pep up a vintage-furnished casual lounge room.
As a cocktail station
Leave an ex-suitcase with all its original charm, or line it with leftover wallpaper or fabric. A flat piece of timber fitted into the base will prevent bottles from toppling.
STASH: A selection of exotic liqueurs, corkscrews, and wine memorabilia. Sit it on top of a cabinet that holds glasses, or on a bar fridge.
Leave an ex-suitcase with all its original charm, or line it with leftover wallpaper or fabric. A flat piece of timber fitted into the base will prevent bottles from toppling.
STASH: A selection of exotic liqueurs, corkscrews, and wine memorabilia. Sit it on top of a cabinet that holds glasses, or on a bar fridge.
When an old travel trunk is not practical as a coffee table, but is too handsome to hide, put it under a glass or perspex table.
Add wheels …
… or legs.
… or shabby chic.
Just for fun, paint a wall in a bold colour and use vintage case fronts as artwork, for a very quirky and eye-catching display.
I think I spy a Louis Vuitton steamer trunk in the corner of this safari-style St Tropez salon.
In the most show-off place in the house
When Louis Vuitton designed his ground-breaking flat-topped stackable travel trunk, he couldn’t have imagined how covetable it would be about 150 years later. Early versions were hand-woven canvas, with beechwood slats, brass hardware and linen lining. The beige and brown stripes were introduced in 1876 and the monogram was to prevent duplication of these very popular items. Prices for authentic vintage LV luggage are astronomical, fetching five figure sums. If you have one, lucky you – the rest of us can dream.
STASH: Nothing – just admire its superb workmanship.
TELL US
Do you have any good ideas for showing off and using vintage luggage? Share them with us in the Comments section.
MORE READING ON UPCYCLING
Nifty Thrifting: 19 Inventive Repurposing Ideas
10 Upcycling Projects to Turn Your Trash Into Treasure
Upcycle Your Way to a Personality-Packed Hallway
When Louis Vuitton designed his ground-breaking flat-topped stackable travel trunk, he couldn’t have imagined how covetable it would be about 150 years later. Early versions were hand-woven canvas, with beechwood slats, brass hardware and linen lining. The beige and brown stripes were introduced in 1876 and the monogram was to prevent duplication of these very popular items. Prices for authentic vintage LV luggage are astronomical, fetching five figure sums. If you have one, lucky you – the rest of us can dream.
STASH: Nothing – just admire its superb workmanship.
TELL US
Do you have any good ideas for showing off and using vintage luggage? Share them with us in the Comments section.
MORE READING ON UPCYCLING
Nifty Thrifting: 19 Inventive Repurposing Ideas
10 Upcycling Projects to Turn Your Trash Into Treasure
Upcycle Your Way to a Personality-Packed Hallway
Hatboxes were in vogue when an exquisite hat was the final flourish for every outfit. They provided a safe place to store elaborate confections while travelling, and were almost as beautiful as what lay within. They offer a feminine touch in a dressing area.
STASH: Cosmetics, scarves, belts, gloves, your naughty undies, even hats!