Learn how to create vintage suitcase images on boards, crates, drawer fronts, or any surface desired! A creative stencil kit filled with all the vintage details makes this an easy and creative project for antique lovers! Showcased in this tutorial is how to create stacked suitcases on boards to hang as unique wall art.
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As a antiques collector, I’ve long adored the look of stacked suitcases as a room feature or even side table. The old world feel an old patina offers, scuff marks that tell a story… antique suitcases are just flat out a decoration that suits most any collectors’ home.
Not to mention the potential storage a stacked vintage luggage set could have!
What’s not to love?
Some past luggage trunks
I use to have this fabulous old suitcase or medium trunk that had wood strappings and a tear here and there in its leather-look exterior. The antique suitcase became an ottoman on casters, which I really loved.
I’ve also stacked blue antique wooden trunks like in this winter living room. But that’s about the closest I ever got to official stacked suitcases, mainly because of lack of space! Is it time to move yet?
Then the trend to create luggage drawers on dresser fronts like THIS one at A Crafty Mix (isn’t it a stunner?) became a thing. While gorgeous, this look had real handles and latches attached, meaning, you’d need to scavenge these parts from real suitcases. That’s some serious collecting indeed!
So I decided to make my vintage suitcase dreams come true by creating an easy way to achieve the vintage luggage look. A new stencil kit was born, that could mimic the look onto any sized board, drawer front, crate, or otherwise!
And I’m happy to report, boy does this work slick!
While officially an everyday kind of design or project, I do have some creative ways to use this for Christmas decorating as well, so stay tuned! I just felt it would be wise to share how it works in its separate post for easier reference.
Where to find Vintage Luggage stencils
Two Vintage Luggage stencils (offered separately) were created to team up together, to give you a classic suitcase look with all those vintage details we love!
The Vintage Luggage Kit stencil includes 3 corner styles, 3 latches with button overlays, 3 handles, key lock, luggage sticker images and a lid line.
Vintage Luggage Accessories stencil
The Vintage Luggage Accessories stencil is loaded with the convenience of having belt straps, stripes, 3 styles of latches, luggage stickers, stitching, 3 different handles, 3 styles of corners, and more!
So let’s make those old boards come to life and flip into a charming canvas of old pieces of vintage luggage instead.
Stacked vintage suitcase wall art on boards
Supplies you’ll need:
Vintage Luggage Accessories stencil
DIY paint of choice – I use Fusion Mineral Paint (get 10% off HERE) in various tones.
Reclaimed wood, drawer fronts, crates, or whatever you wish to stencil
Simple Green – to clean stencils, which is recommended for this set for easier positioning.
Select your base
1. Gather up what you plan to stencil.
This stencil kit works on virtually any sized plank, drawer front, crate, or otherwise!
These 3 planks measure: 5.5″ deep x 10″, 13″ and 16″ long.
Save the design picture for reference
2. Visit the Vintage Luggage Kit stencil listing, and save the design picture there onto your phone for easy reference, or save / print the image below.
Find this image in the stencil listing: Vintage Luggage Kit HERE
This handy design picture shares different full colour suitcase examples, along with instructions on which images to stencil first in order to create the layers.
For example, if you want a stripe to run under a handle, you’d stencil the stripe first, then the handle on top.
The layers take a little bit of thought, but after you get going, you’ll find it quite easy to puzzle together!
There’s also a helpful 3 minute video at the bottom of this post that will show you how it’s done!
Stencil luggage images in this order
- 4 corners
- stripes
- lid line under top two corners (save room for handle underneath)
- hande – position handle brackets in the middle of your project
- hinges
- belt straps
- stickers, keyhole, etc.
How to choose paint colours
- Get added inspiration from a pinterest board filled with vintage luggage HERE.
- Try sticking with 3 colours max that will coordinate nicely together, while still contrasting against your background colour.
- Use at least one very dark colour (like black or navy) to create the long horizontal line that becomes the gap where the suitcase opens.
- Consider that most hardware is generally all the same tone on suitcases.
Stenciling the 4 corners
3. Stencil the 4 corner pieces first in a colour you desire.
There’s a choice of 3 different corners to choose from so you can change things up!
I chose the 1/4 round image and stenciled them in black. Simply hold the stencil in the position desired, then stencil.
How to stencil, producing sharp images without paint bleed:
- Load a dome-tipped stencil brush with paint. (I find the dome shape offers smoother coverage)
- Off load most paint onto a rag until brush feels dry. (this is the most important step)
- Tap or swirl paint through stencil for desired effect.
Check out some dome-tipped stencil brushes HERE
Shop for Fusion Mineral Paint HERE and get 10% off
Stencil stripes
4. Stencil stripes next, especially if they are placed underneath a handle or latches.
Measure the centre of your board, position the stripes, then stencil in a tone that will contrast well to the handle if it’s going over top.
Stenciling the lid line
5. Position the long horizontal lid line just under the two top corner brackets, then stencil in a dark colour.
Just be sure to leave enough room for the suitcase handle underneath.
Stencil the handle
6. Position the suitcase handle ‘bracket’s in the middle of your board.
If you study real suitcases, the brackets are right in the middle of the top of the suitcase to carry the weight evenly. That makes knowing where to position the handle quite easy!
7. Stencil the handle and brackets in the colours desired.
8. A keyhole was stenciled in the middle of the stripes.
Since this board was quite small, I kept the details to a minimum.
Paint colours: Coal Black, Little Lamb (grey), Victorian Lace
Board was already painted brown.
As your planks get longer, you can add more details as desired!
To the above white board, I stenciled a latch above the handle and added a layered luggage sticker.
Tip: the luggage stickers are also designed to fit on round drawer knobs on drawers so they look like part of the luggage design.
Paint colours: Coal Black, Little Lamb, Homestead House Milk Paint in Pacific Redwood
Board was already painted white.
Since the above board was so dark, I used lots of white so the elements would show up well.
How to stencil the belt straps:
- stencil plain belt strap first
- position the bucket and stitches over top
- stencil in contrasting tones
On this suitcase, I used an artist’s brush to add a few hand painted highlights to the handle brackets, corners, belt buckles, and sticker. It really helped them pop!
Paint colours: Coal Black, Little Lamb (grey), Victorian Lace, Homestead House Milk Paint in Pacific Redwood
Victorian Lace, Little Lamb, Homestead House Milk Paint in Pacific Redwood
Board was already painted black.
How to clean stencils
I recommend to clean these stencils after each use, so it’s easy to position all the images while staying on one sheet.
If you don’t clean your stencils, it may be helpful to cut these images into separate pieces for easier positioning. Visit THIS stencil listing to see how.
To clean the stencils:
- spray with Simple Green cleaner
- allow to sit a few minues
- rub or wipe clean with a rag
- rinse well
- allow to dry
And here are all the vintage suitcases together!
Aren’t they just the cutest as stacked vintage suitcases too? I love that they have enough interest to use separate or together!
These suitcases stenciled on wood planks were mounted to the wall with screws, making pretty cute wall art!
Add hooks or shelves and they can become even more productive!
And with Christmas fast approaching, I added an evergreen branch to the top suitcase, which goes to show, even faux luggage can be decorated for the holidays!
Or add a few small rustic hanging hooks to hang:
- Christmas stockings
- keys
- belts in a closet
- towels
- back of a door for a hoodie
- backpacks
I also have a few Christmas ideas with these suitcase designs in mind, such as a Christmas tree skirt, so stay tuned!
Video tutorial – how to stencil vintage suitcase images
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Visit above to watch a helpful short video to see how to stencil these luggage images! The video spells it all out better than any words can!
And now I can safely say, I finally have my beloved stacked vintage suitcase collection! Without having to thrift, and not requiring a ton of space to house them! Easy to transport too! Now that’s a travel bag I can manage.
Aren’t they the cutest?!
How do you vision using them?
See both Vintage Luggage stencil listings HERE
Check out many other unique stencil projects HERE
Stencil stacked vintage suitcase wall art on boards
Supplies:
DIY Paint:
Instructions:
Preparing:
- Print out the design picture, then load it to your phone for easy reference.
- Paint your project surface if desired.
- Come up with a loose plan on how you'd like to design your luggage before starting, so you can layer the images accordingly.
- Choose 3-4 paint colours that contrast against your chosen background tone.
- Consider that most real vintage suitcase hardware (latches, buckels, etc.) are generally either brass or silver.
Stencil in this order:
- 4 corners
- stripes
- horizontal lid line, positioned under two top corners (making sure there is room for handle below)
- handle - position handle brackets in the middle of your surface
- hinges - watch the video to see how to place these correctly
- belt straps
- stickers, keyhole, etc.
How to stencil for flawless results
- Dip dome-tip stencil brush into paint.
- Remove most paint onto a rag until brush feels dry.
- Tap or swirl paint through stencil for desired effect.
- Mount suitcase boards to wall in a stacked formation for wall art, or use them as parts for other projects.
You are so creative! These are just plain cute! Happy holidays!
How cute is this stencil? Love it!!
Oh my gosh, that’s great! Dang, I wish I had seen this before I just ordered another stencil from you. Red, white and green would be fun for Christmas.
You never cease to amaze me! Thanks, Donna!
These are just adorable! Love these stencils; so fun to create old suitcase art!
I do so love these charming wood crafts. You do such a great job with suggestions and tips to help beginners and experienced crafters. I use to do stenciling crafts many years ago and your ideas have ignited a desire to begin again. Thank you for your site…I will follow faithfully!