Upcycled Instrument Case as Pretty Wall Shelf

Lora Bloomquist
by Lora Bloomquist
7 Materials
$10
2 Hours
Easy

What can you do with an old instrument case? Repurpose it into a pretty decorative wall shelf. See how easy it is to bring new life to an old violin case. This would be a great way to upcycle an old guitar case, too, or any curvy interesting instrument case. Here's the simple DIY:

The first step is to take out any inner lining on the inside. This mini violin case had bright blue felt. Sorry...didn't get a pic of the before. Just use your hands or a pliers and pull the felt out and any cardboard that made the instrument form.

Next, you want to separate the two sides without damaging the hinges. Take the pin out and it will come apart. Use a nail set to get the pin started. This case was so small, we needed to push the pin through with a nail, pounding lightly with a hammer.

Once the pins are out, you'll have 2 curvy shapes to work with. Pry the remaining cardboard pieces off the sides.

Next, cut lightweight boards where you want shelves (some old wooden crate pieces worked perfectly for these). We cut 2 boards for the thinner side and 1 for the thicker case. This is a mini violin, so the shelves are quite shallow.

Now for the inside finishing.

Decoupage vintage music sheets to the inside. Trace around the instrument case to get the shape and attach the back wall first. Then measure the height of the sides and cut strips of the music. Attach around the edges next.


Lastly, hot glue your shelves in place and hot glue sawtooth hangers to the backs so you can hang them.

These cute upcycled shelves are the perfect unique wall decor to display little pretties, any time of the year! The one shelf version fits a mini tree perfectly and the 2 shelf version is just big enough for a little animal or vintage card.


For more vintage-inspired repurposing projects, see HERE.


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Lora Bloomquist
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  2 questions
  • Cathy Cathy on Jan 24, 2021

    Great idea. Could you also do that with an OLD suitcase and then line it with a map?

  • Monicae Monicae on Jan 24, 2021

    how did you attach your shelves???glue or small nails????

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