Create a Darling Dollhouse From a Vintage Suitcase


Vertical close up of a dollhouse made from a vintage suitcas

My fascination with dollhouses extended far beyond the typical age range, a secret shared only among my closest friends as we huddled together, our Barbies in hand, promising never to spill our little secret.

Well, decades later, the cat’s out of the bag!

I realize now that it wasn’t the dolls that captivated me back then, but the thrill of arranging and decorating their miniature homes.

close up of a cozy miniature loft filled with pillows in a dollhouse made in a vintage suitcase

If only I could redecorate that much in my own home. But let’s face it, constantly revamping our full-sized homes can burn quite a hole in the pocket. Enter the world of Dollhouses – a budget-friendly solution to a decorating obsession.

This Vintage Suitcase Dollhouse is the perfect blend of a passion for interior design, an affinity for thrifting, and a commitment to reusing cherished materials. It’s a creative jackpot for those who appreciate the art of upcycling.

These pint-sized homes provide the perfect canvas for creative expression, allowing an indulgence for a love for interior design without breaking the bank.

close up of a cozy miniature couch in the tiny living room of a dollhouse made from a vintage suitcase


No apologies here—get ready for the ultimate photo dump! Creating this tutorial was an absolute joy, and I couldn’t resist capturing every delightful moment through the lens. I’m unapologetically in love with every single photo, and I hope you enjoy the visual journey as much as I did!

Welcome wreath decopauged on the front of the vintage suitcase dollhouse
Tiny kitchen and loft in a dollhouse made in a vintage suitcase

Embracing a pint-sized decorating spree on a budget, let’s dive into the steps of crafting a dollhouse snugly nestled within a vintage suitcase. The magic unfolds in every meticulous detail, as we channel our younger selves in a world where playfulness reigns supreme.

So, shake off the dust from your imagination, gather your budget-friendly crafting supplies, and let’s embark on a whimsical DIY adventure. It’s not just a stroll down memory lane; it’s a journey to create timeless treasures that echo the joy of childhood.

Watch the video here:

Click here for the complete, step-by-step (and much slower) photo tutorial on how to create a Vintage Suitcase Dollhouse.

Gather your materials, starting with an old hard-sided suitcase as the foundation. Add a touch of thrifted charm or dollar store finds: a fabric placemat transforms into a cozy rug, a candle holder becomes a chic coffee table, a trinket dish serves as the perfect sink, plastic dollhouse furniture adds miniature charm, and don’t forget fabric and stuffing for pillows and mattresses. Even an old sweater can find new life as a snug blanket. It’s a creative medley of repurposed treasures!

Vintage suitcase to use for a dollhouse
some of the materials needed to decorate a dollhouse made from a vintage suitcase
close up of a miniature table made from a wooden candle lid and a branch with tiny placemats
Kitchen in a dollhouse made in a vintage suitcase complete with double sink, floating shelf, and tiny towels.
Close-up of tiny white coffee table, book and rug in a dollhouse made in a vintage suitcase.
Kitchen, living room and dining room in a dollhouse made in a vintage suitcase.
Kitchen, living room and dining room in a dollhouse made in a vintage suitcase.
Close-up of tiny kitchen with double sink, floating shelves, glass jars and towels in a dollhouse made in a vintage suitcase.
Dollhouse made in a vintage suitcase.

I love the idea that we can we can transform everyday items into extraordinary miniature worlds.

Whether you’re an ardent lover of interior design, a thrifty shopper, or a fan of upcycling, this dollhouse made in a vintage suitcase offers an affordable and enjoyable way to express your creativity.

So, dust off that old suitcase, gather your supplies, and embark on this journey of crafting a timeless treasure. Remember, in the world of DIY, there are no limits, only endless possibilities.

Happy crafting!

Beth

aka

The Renegade Seamstress

Click here for more crafting, sewing, and refashioning inspiration and tutorials.

About The Renegade Seamstress

I'm a busy wife, mom, grandma, and teacher who loves to create. I've joined the refashion scene and I 'd like to share and connect with all those talented and creative people out there doing similar things.
This entry was posted in Crafting, DIY, fabric, Photography, recycling, Sewing, Thrifting, Tutorial, upcycling, video and tagged , , , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

8 Responses to Create a Darling Dollhouse From a Vintage Suitcase

  1. Anne-Marie Neal says:

    I love this! Thank you for sharing.

  2. Mother Deer says:

    This is a fabulous treat to behold. I especially love YOUR book in miniature 🙂

  3. Mary Jean Cunningham says:

    Yes, I loved to make Barbie rooms, too! Still very proud of the wild 60’s bathroom featuring orange yogurt cups for deep matching sinks with hand-colored paisley paper in purple, orange and green used as flooring, LOL! Scraps of contact paper on small jewelry boxes, toothpicks colored with felt markers and drizzled with wax to make candles, sprigs of plastic flowers, thimbles made into vases, whatever I could find turned into Barbie-scale decor. OK, now the biggest admission – I have made a log cabin for two Beanie Baby squirrels including a “hooked rug” that used to be a mug rug and a hammock strung between two small Xmas trees made of fabric printed with acorns…thanks for sharing and letting me know I’m not alone in enjoying this kind of thing!

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