Vintage Suitcase End Table
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A Custom Vintage Suitcase End Table: Vintage Upcycled Furniture
Upcycling is a new craze, and it's one that I really enjoy. The basic premise is that you take something old and ready for the trash, and you create a new use for it. This can save you money and breathe new life into junk that would otherwise end up in the landfill.
This is one of my favorite pieces of vintage upcycled furniture: the upcycled suitcase end table. So easy to make, so incredibly cool. It makes a great conversation piece, and it will match well with any retro or shabby chic interior decorating you might have going on. And, if you do it properly, you'll be able to use the table as secondary storage.
Let's get started!
Choosing The Right Suitcase: Upcycled Vintage End Tables Made From Suitcases
Now technically, if you found a suitcase that was large enough, you could just plunk it right in the middle of your living room, and voila! A table is born! However, this doesn't look super intentional, and will end up looking like clutter.
Choose your suitcase for your upcycled end table properly. You want a vintage end table, not a modern suitcase with legs on it. You want your end tables to look rustic (at least I think you do) so be sure to pick a suitcase that looks very cool, very worn or weathered. Bonus points for big brass buckles or unique features.
An antique store is a good resource to find one. For a less expensive option, you can also try thrift stores or yard sales. There are lots of good options out there. We found a beautiful old rustic vintage suitcase for our table for less than $50.
The most important thing for your vintage end table to work: make sure it is a hard bodied suitcase! Remember that you'll be stacking things on top of it and inside it, so you want it to be rigid. Try to find one with a wood frame or shell.
Find Some Legs: Vintage Upcycled End Table Legs
Furniture legs are easy to find at your local hardware store. Find a set that will work with your color scheme. You'll need a couple to attach to your vintage suitcase end table.
Make sure that your legs are the kind with bolts on the ends, and find a nut and set of washers that fit onto this bolt. You'll need this to attach the legs to your vintage end table.
Most legs come with adjustable feet. They screw in and out to adjust the height of the legs. This is useful for making sure your nice piece of upcycled furniture doesn't wobble.
Drill The Holes, Attach The Legs: Vintage Suitcase Table Upcycled
Ok, now drill the holes in the bottom of the suitcase. Make sure to space out your holes properly, and make sure they aren't super visible. Avoid drilling through metal hardware, as this can ruin your drillbit.
If you're not super handy, try getting someone familiar with a drill to do this portion for you. You want the holes to be well drilled and even, so be sure that you're comfortable doing it.
Now that you've got some holes, place a washer on either side of the hole, and put the bolt end of the legs through. Tighten on the nut inside the suitcase, and your legs are attached! Use the adjustors on the feet to make sure your new piece of upcycled furniture isn't wobbly.
That's it, you are now the proud owner of an end table that looks like a vintage suitcase.
Good Luck!