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Vintage Suitcase Decor Covered in Photos

In this vintage suitcase decor project, you’ll adhere photos to an old find using Mod Podge! This DIY suitcase is such an easy idea.

Skills Required: Intermediate Beginner. You should have experience using Mod Podge with paper, because the photos might wrinkle.

Vintage Suitcase Decor Covered in Photos

I love vintage suitcases! I see them in such fun shapes and colors all over Etsy, and I decided to get one for myself. When I received it, the outside of it was a little rough and had some stains.

I decided it would be fun to personalize some vintage suitcase decor using my favorite photos from over the years. Such a fun decoupage idea, and I knew it would be reasonably easy to execute.

I also knew it would make me smile every time I look at it – and it would be useful! And what a fun and memorable way to start out the school year for any college student! Here’s how I decorated my fun vintage DIY suitcase using just a few basic supplies.

DIY Suitcase

Gather these supplies:

Vintage blue holdall

I love that this suitcase has such an interesting shape! You can use any type of suitcase for this project – from larger suitcases to smaller trunks. You can use luggage with a fabric or vinyl exterior as well; if it’s a plastic suitcase, you’ll need to do a small test to make sure it works.

Painting white acrylic paint on the surface of an attache case

If you have a darker suitcase like mine, you’ll need to paint it with white acrylic paint before you add the photos so they “pop” off of the surface when you decoupage.

Photo on PicMonkey

Give your photos a vintage touch by using filters in your favorite photo editing program. I gave my photos filters as well as added a light border in. I used picmonkey.com.

Two photos on one slide in Microsoft PowerPoint

Use PowerPoint or another program to size and print your photos.

TIP: Print these out on HP bright white paper, if you can. The bright white paper is best for showing the true color of the patterns AND the HP paper doesn’t bleed as much!!

Cutting out a printed photo with a pair of scissors

Cut all photos out with your scissors and set aside.

Vintage Photo Suitcase Mod Podge Photos

Start attaching your photos to the front of your suitcase using Mod Podge. Paint a medium layer down and smooth the photo on top. Keep adding photos – you can overlap them and let some hang off of the side (you’ll trim later).

Apply Mod Podge on the photos on a vintage suitcase

Once all of your photos are on the front, let it dry for 15 – 20 minutes. Then paint the top with another coat of Mod Podge and let dry.

Trim the edge of your suitcase with an X-Acto

When the top is dry, trim using a craft knife. Repeat the process with the rest of the suitcase.

TIP: If you want your vintage suitcase decor to be extra durable, use a spray sealer when finished. Take the suitcase outside and give it 3 – 5 coats, letting it dry between coats.

DIY suitcase decor

Enjoy your finished DIY suitcase! I have such fond memories of fun times whenever I look at it.

Yield: 1 suitcase

Vintage Suitcase Decor

DIY suitcase decor

Learn how to re-do a suitcase in this simple project! You'll cover your suitcase with photos using Mod Podge.

Prep Time 30 minutes
Active Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Difficulty Intermediate
Estimated Cost $5

Materials

  • Suitcase – I got mine from Etsy
  • Photos of your choice
  • Mod Podge Matte
  • White acrylic paint

Tools

  • Printer and regular paper
  • Photo editing tool like PicMonkey or Canva
  • PowerPoint or Word
  • Craft knife
  • Scissors
  • Paintbrush

Instructions

  1. If you have a darker suitcase, paint it with white acrylic paint before you add the photos so they “pop” off of the surface when you decoupage.
  2. Give the photos a vintage touch by using filters in your favorite photo editing program, if you like.
  3. Use PowerPoint or another program to size and print your photos.
  4. Cut all photos out with the scissors and set aside.
  5. Start attaching the photos to the front of your suitcase using Mod Podge. Paint a medium layer down and smooth the photo on top. Keep adding photos – overlap them and let some hang off of the side (you’ll trim later).
  6. Once all of the photos are on the front, let it dry for 15 – 20 minutes. Then paint the top with another coat of Mod Podge and let dry.
  7. When the top is dry, trim using a craft knife. Repeat the process with the rest of the suitcase.

Notes

TIP: If you want your vintage suitcase decor to be extra durable, use a spray sealer when finished. Take the suitcase outside and give it 3 – 5 coats, letting it dry between coats.

Did You Make This Project?

Please leave a rating or share a photo on Pinterest!


If you like doing fun crafts with pictures, I’d love for you to check out these other photo crafts:

Michelle

Sunday 6th of August 2023

I made 2 of these suitcases a long time ago. I put them in storage on top of each other ànd now they are stuck together. Any ideas on how to get them unstuck without damaging them? Please help. Thank you.

Michelle

Sunday 6th of August 2023

@Michelle, do you think water would ruin them?

Amy

Sunday 6th of August 2023

oooh . . . ugh. I would just slowly try to pull them apart. You can try to apply heat with a hair dryer or heat gun to the area to see if they will release. I'm worried they might be stuck but try it with the heat.

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