Turn A Vintage Suitcase Into A Bathroom Medicine Cabinet For A Cuter Way To Add Charm

Vintage suitcases hint at romantic getaways or dream destinations. The distressed leather and original brass clasps are often steeped in stories that the luggage saw on its many trips. And while today's traveler often opts for a sleek hard-sided suitcase with four-wheel spinners, those vintage bags still have creative uses in your home. Hometalk shares perhaps one of the most unique ones: turning it into a medicine cabinet. The luggage gets a makeover with paint, burlap, and rope, but the wooden shelves inside and a round mirror on the outside really drive the transformation.

Bathroom medicine cabinets can be a controversial topic in the design community. Some people think the bulky and boring cabinets take up too much space and don't fit with the modern aesthetic. But they also give you extra hidden storage and keep toiletries handy. This vintage suitcase DIY gives you the best of both worlds. You get the extra storage, and you banish boring cabinets with the unique container. It's a great addition to a farmhouse or boho bathroom design.

The type of suitcase you want for this project is a rigid piece with relatively flat sides. While sizing varies, common dimensions for medicine cabinets are about 24 inches wide by 30 inches tall. Use those dimensions as a general guide for choosing an old suitcase. If you don't already have one around home, check thrift shops, garage sales, flea markets, and estate sales. You can also search for specific styles or sizes on eBay and other online marketplaces.

To transform the luggage into a chic and savvy bathroom medicine cabinet, thoroughly clean it first. Wipe the inside and outside of the suitcase with a damp cloth. If the outside is covered in leather, use a cleaning product formulated for the material to prevent damage. In the inspiration project, the creator paints the inside lining and adds burlap, using Fusion Transfer Gel to attach it. Thick rope glued around the edges gives the burlap a clean finish. 

The other major change to the luggage is adding shelves and other storage components. Cut scrap wood to the width of the suitcase. Two wooden shelves should fit comfortably into most luggage. You may be able to fit more if you want less space between shelves or if you're working with a larger suitcase. You can paint or stain the wood to fit with the overall theme of the piece. Position each shelf, using a level to make sure it's straight, and attach it by screwing from the outside of the suitcase through the wood. You can also add hooks to the lid of the suitcase, which will serve as the medicine cabinet door. Offset them so they sit higher or lower than the shelves.

To make it more functional, attach a small mirror to the front. Use construction adhesive or mirror brackets to secure it to the lid. Then, to install the surface-mount medicine cabinet, screw it into wall studs through the back of the suitcase.

The outside of the suitcase will be on full display, so you'll want to paint or stain it to create a look you love. Aging techniques, like sanding parts of the surface or adding Rub 'N Buff to the hardware, add to the vintage aesthetic. Or, paint a border around the suitcase, stencil designs on the outside, or paint the sides a different color. If the current hardware doesn't work properly, replace it. Or, add new details, like wrapping the handle in twine or leather. You can also add a small knob or leather strap to the front as a pull.

Inside the suitcase, swap the burlap back for faux leather, patterned fabric, or peel-and-stick wallpaper. This covering could also be continued on the sides. Choose a material that can hold up to the humidity in the bathroom. For example, if you use wallpaper, choose vinyl or look for a product labeled for bathroom use. Instead of rope to border the background material, try small wooden or metallic beads. Adding a motion-activated LED light or strip lights inside the suitcase makes it easier to find items on the shelves.

To change up the layout, add vertical wood pieces to divide the shelf areas into sections for better organization. Or, add wooden dowels at the front edges of the shelves to act as rims that keep items from sliding out. Attaching a decorative glass jar to the door or back of the suitcase creates a built-in spot for makeup brushes or narrow cosmetics, like lip gloss and mascara.