June 23, 2022, 2:59 pm | Read time: 3 minutes
Sprucing up old furniture or creating new pieces from other old items–that’s the focus of the new myHOMEBOOK series “Revamped.” DIY and upcycling expert Thomas Klotz shows in the second episode what you can build from an old suitcase.
Old suitcases have a special charm–their appearance alone can make you nostalgic. However, they’re no longer suitable for travel. But they’re far too precious to throw away–that’s why, together with DIY expert Thomas Klotz from Berlin, we show in the new series “Revamped” how to create new furniture pieces from old items. In the second episode, we demonstrate how to upcycle an old suitcase into a medicine cabinet. The video shows how it’s done!
Upcycling a Suitcase–What You Need
To turn an old suitcase into a suitcase cabinet, you first need an old suitcase. The size depends on what you plan to store in the cabinet. The appearance is a matter of taste. Additionally, you’ll need:
Materials
- Wooden boards for the shelf inside the suitcase (the number depends on how many shelves you want to install)
- Thinner board for the back panel
- Label holders
- Self-adhesive furniture film
Tools
- Cordless drill
- Glue
- Clear wax
- Double-sided tape
- Stain
- Sanding tool
- Screws
- Nails
- Jigsaw (if you don’t have the boards cut at the hardware store)
- Bracket for the back panel (if you want to hang the suitcase cabinet)
Tip: Before having the boards cut at the hardware store, measure the suitcase. Make sure to subtract the thickness of the wood, or it won’t fit in the end.
Step-by-Step Guide for the Suitcase Cabinet
With a bit of skill, the suitcase cabinet project is also suitable for upcycling beginners. Ideally, have the wooden boards cut at the hardware store to save this step. Here’s how it goes:
- First, assemble the frame. Before screwing and gluing, it’s better to pre-drill. Otherwise, the wood might crack.
- Next, apply a little glue to the boards to give the frame extra stability in case a screw comes loose. Then, use a cordless drill to screw in the screws.
- In the next step, attach the back panel with nails. To be safe, you can pre-drill here as well.
- Before inserting the shelves, stain the wood. The boards are colored, but the natural grain is not covered. It’s best to use a brush or a cotton cloth for staining–make sure no fibers stick to the wood.
- Let the wood dry for two to three hours, then seal it with clear wax.
- For a nicer back panel, apply self-adhesive furniture film. Measure the inside of the frame and then cut the film. The pattern is a matter of taste.
- Once the film is on the back panel, you can insert the shelves. Again, it’s advisable to pre-drill the wood to prevent it from cracking. Then, attach the boards with screws.
- If it’s just a small suitcase, it’s enough to secure the frame inside the suitcase with double-sided tape. Apply it to both the back and the sides to prevent the shelf from sliding out of the suitcase.
- Finally, only small details are missing–like a label holder and a wall bracket on the back if you want to hang the suitcase cabinet.
You can also see the detailed instructions in the video–enjoy building!
Also in “Revamped”: