Take A Stroll In Spitalfields And You’ll Spot Sofas With Decades Of Life. They’ve Got Stains And Creaks But That’s The Charm

London’s Retro Revival: Why Vintage Armchairs and Sofas Still Rule retro arm chairs chairs and sofas have been part of my life for years. The family armchair was covered in throws but still solid. It sagged in the middle and smelled faintly of tea, but it was part of us. Back in the sixties, people kept things for decades. Chairs lived longer than flats. That history clings to vintage pieces. I found a retro accent chair in a Dalston car boot. Most people would have walked on, leather armchair green but the weight told me it was the real deal.

It’s outlasted three flats and two relationships. Each district carries its own vibe. Hampstead stays calm, with buttoned wingbacks. Brixton thrives on colour, with industrial armchairs. London wouldn’t be London without the variety. New furniture looks dead next to vintage. Retro pieces become part of your life. They carry scratches like tattoos. Here’s the thing, retro wins because it’s real. A sofa should tell your story. If you’re scrolling catalogue sites, step into a dusty warehouse.

Choose a funky accent chair, and watch it age alongside you.