How to Decorate a Leather Handbag

A simple leather bag is the perfect accessory for carrying to school, work, or leisure activities. However, if your bag seems a little plain, there are several decoration ideas that can bring it to life. Choose one (or more) of the DIY tips below to refresh your old leather bag.

Add a touch of sparkle to the front of your bag with a metallic chain. Find a gold or silver chain and attach it to the clasp of your leather bag. If your bag doesn't have a clasp, you can loop the chain around the hardware of the strap.

• This is a great way to reuse an old or unused necklace.
• If the bag has a detachable strap, remove it and thread the chain around the strap for a stylish look.

Attach some 3D decorations to the outside of your handbag. Choose charm bead strings and/or tassel cords in colors or patterns you like. Hang the tassels or charm strings from the bag's strap so they dangle in front, adding eye-catching embellishments.

• If you have a tassel with a graduation cap, this is a fun way to show off the school you graduated from.

Use stickers to give your bag a vintage look. Apply a thin layer of leather or suede glue to the back of the sticker. Press the sticker onto the bag and wait about 30 minutes for the glue to dry before using it. Stick 1-2 stickers for a more subtle look, or cover the entire surface with multiple stickers for a fun and bold appearance.

• You can find leather or suede glue at craft stores.
• Sticker glue is hard to remove, so use it only if you want the sticker to stay on your bag permanently.

Combine decorative items whenever you feel like it. Choose a few cute pins to attach to your leather bag. You can cluster the pins together for a refined design or scatter them across the surface of the bag for a more eye-catching look.

• Keep in mind that pins will leave small holes on the bag, so avoid using this method on expensive bags.
• Visit craft stores or shop online for pins that suit your style.

Add sparkling gems all over the bag to make it stand out. Purchase a bottle of gem glue and apply a thin layer to the spots where you want to place the gems. Use crystal and fake diamonds available at craft stores to cover the bag’s surface for a feminine touch.

• Allow the glue to dry for at least an hour before using the bag to ensure the gems don’t fall off.
• This is a fun way to decorate your bag if you prefer a more subtle look with fewer colors or patterns.
• If you don’t want to cover the entire bag with gems, try adding a monogram design as a starting point.

Give your bag a fresh new life with patterns and designs. Choose a fabric pattern you love and cut out a design or motif from the fabric. Apply a layer of Mod Podge glue to the surface of the bag, then carefully press the fabric onto it. Seal the fabric with another coat of Mod Podge and let it dry before taking your bag out.

• There are plenty of interesting fabric designs available at craft stores. Look for animal, angel, or botanical prints to bring your bag to life.
• Mod Podge glue can be found at most craft stores or home goods stores.

Decorate your bag with shapes, patterns, and even words! Use a paintbrush and acrylic paints to freely create designs on your bag. If you have a specific idea in mind, you can make a stencil using cardboard and use a sponge to apply the paint to the surface of the bag. Stripes, polka dots, or wavy lines are simple and easy patterns to add a personal touch to your bag.

• Choose contrasting colors to make your designs pop. For a black bag, go for white or basic colors. For a brown leather bag, red and black will stand out beautifully.

Give a fresh look to the old leather bag strap. Remove the old strap and replace it with a patterned guitar strap. This works perfectly for larger bags but can also add a cool, rock-and-roll vibe to smaller clutch bags.

• If you're looking to save money, try finding a second-hand guitar strap at a thrift store.

Choose a vibrant, eye-catching scarf to add a splash of color to your bag. Wrap the scarf around the bag strap tightly and let the ends flow freely. A silk scarf works wonderfully, but a cotton one is also a great option!

• One more advantage of this decoration is that you’ll always have a scarf on hand when you need it.
• You could also use a fun bandana if you have one!

Swap out your old, worn bag strap for a ribbon. Choose a thick ribbon in a color you love, then cut off the old strap. Tie the ribbon around the metal hook in two loops and trim the excess ribbon before carrying your bag.

• If you want to make sure the strap stays in place, sew through the knots with a needle and thread to keep them secure.
• To prevent fraying, use a paintbrush to apply glue to the edges of the ribbon.