DIY Metal Trunk Makeover with Vintage Book Pages

This old metal trunk received a gentle transformation using vintage book pages and decoupage. What began as a neglected, well-traveled storage piece became a charming side table that fits naturally in the living room.

DIY Metal-Covered Trunk Makeover

This metal-covered trunk has traveled far. It originated in New York many years ago and later lived in Greece. Over the decades it held fabrics, curtains, pillowcases and other household textiles. Most of all, it guarded a dowry—lace doilies, needlework and handmade pieces created by my mother. Those items gave the trunk a deep sentimental value, and I wanted its exterior to reflect that history.

The metal covering and worn finish made the trunk look dated and in need of repair or at least camouflage. I decided to decoupage the non-metal surfaces with yellowed pages from an old book to create a cohesive, vintage appearance that honors the trunk’s past.

I began this makeover with a small set of supplies and a lot of imagination. The goal was to keep the trunk’s character while giving it a refreshed, functional look so it could serve as a side table and a tribute to family memories.

Materials Used for This Metal Trunk Makeover

• Decoupage medium (Mod Podge or similar water-based sealer)
• Scissors and a retractable utility knife for precise cutting
• Yellowed book pages or vintage paper for the decoupage surface
• Clear varnish or polycrylic to seal and age the paper
• A small brush for applying glue and varnish
• Soft cloths for wiping and buffing
• Optional: walnut- or antique-tinted varnish to deepen the patina

For this project I used an old book with naturally yellowed pages. The subject of the book—chivalry and an older era of life—felt fitting for a trunk that once held a dowry and other heirlooms.

The pairing of an old book and an old trunk felt like a natural match: the vintage pages echo the trunk’s history and enhance its new decorative function.

How I Did It: Step-by-Step

1. Clean the trunk. Remove dust and dirt from all surfaces you plan to cover and wipe down metalwork so paint, glue, or varnish will adhere properly.
2. Plan the paper layout. Lay out the book pages on each panel to determine how much paper you’ll need and where to position text and illustrations for the most pleasing look.
3. Apply decoupage medium. Working in small sections, brush a thin, even coat of decoupage medium onto the trunk surface, place the paper down, then smooth out air bubbles and wrinkles with a soft cloth or brush.
4. Cut around metalwork. Use a utility knife to trim paper precisely along metal accents and handles. Take care not to cut into the metal or leather fittings.
5. Layer and blend. Overlap pages slightly and feather edges so seams are less visible. Add additional thin coats of decoupage medium over the top to fully adhere the pages and seal the paper.
6. Create an aged patina. Once the decoupage had dried, I brushed a walnut-tinted varnish lightly over the paper and on the handles to deepen the color and give the entire piece a warm, aged look.
7. Seal the surface. Finish with a few coats of clear varnish or polycrylic to protect the pages from wear and make the trunk suitable for everyday use as a side table. Allow each coat to dry thoroughly between applications.

To preserve the original metal hardware while integrating it into the new design, I left metal pieces exposed and used the paperwork to frame them. After varnishing, the metal took on a pleasing, aged patina that complements the yellowed pages.

The handles and leather details also received a light coat of varnish to help them blend with the new finish while maintaining their original character.

After sealing, the paper looked slightly darker and more antique—exactly the effect I wanted. The varnish protected the pages and added depth to the overall finish.

Inside the trunk I keep my mother’s treasures—doilies, needlework and a few small vintage items. Displaying the trunk in the living room lets these keepsakes remain both protected and visible, and the trunk itself becomes a conversation piece and functional side table.

This makeover is my way of honoring my mother, an exceptional woman whose handiwork filled the trunk decades ago. Restoring the trunk allowed me to preserve those memories and give the piece a new life in a modern home. A chivalrous trunk, after all, should hold treasured things.

If you enjoyed this trunk makeover, save the idea for later or try it with your own vintage materials. Small touches—yellowed paper, a walnut wash, and a final varnish—can turn an overlooked trunk into a functional, story-filled piece of furniture.