Trendy is as Trendy Does: Suitcase Conversions

Today is a tandem post with Craft Magazine. Over there you will find a fun little project I did called the Going to Grandma’s Laptop Case. Remember those groovy floral printed suitcases of our youth? Why do they make suitcases so barfy and boring now? No need to fret, scoot over to Craft to figure out how to revamp an old suitcase into something fantasticly floral and handy.

In the meantime I also have some tasty suitcase nuggets for ya right here. Read on to see several other uses for suitcases that don’t have a thing to do with traveling or clothing.


You might remember the original laptop suitcase project was right here on Naughty Secretary Club. This project is a little different than the one on Craft Magazine since I started with a groovy vintage suitcase.


Vanity Case over on Etsy has some of the most clever suitcase conversions I have ever laid eyes on. Can you say mini bar?



I always loved this side table from Budget Living. Make one yourself with help from Apartment Therapy or buy one from The Society of Good Eggs.


Why not a suitcase chair and ottoman to match your suitcase side table? MaybeDesign has a super duper fun option.


Over on the Bitter Betty Blog you can find out how to turn an old suitcase into a mobile craft studio.


If you were my sister Hope Perkins of Hot Pink Pistol when you ran out of canvas to paint on you might opt for a suitcase instead.



You might recall this clever suitcase earring holder by Kelly Ferrell from our How Ya Hanging - Make Your Own Jewelry Displays.


If you took the tour of my house on Apartment Therapy you might have noticed I have a few vintage suitcases around my digs.


I believe this dog bed in a suitcase won the 2008 Design Sponge DIY Contest. If it didn’t, it should have. I want to make one for my dogs, but I’d need a steamer trunk. Make one yourself with help from The Wren or buy one from Vintage Renaissance on Etsy.

I’m digging all these fun uses for suitcases that have nothing to do with hauling clothes, how about you? I keep all my class supplies in old suitcases so when I teach (check out my class schedule) I just carry my suitcases with me for everyone to dig through. I have one filled with vintage beads and charms and another stuffed with vintage fabric scraps! Know any other fun uses for a suitcase that I am forgetting?

SUGGESTED READING:
Stenciled Luggage - A pathetic attempt at suitcase personalization.