Head Down Brick Lane On A Saturday And You’ll See Funky Accent Chairs In Bold Fabrics. They’ve Got Stains And Creaks But That’s The Charm

From Markets to Mansions: London’s Love for Vintage Sofas and traditional armchairs Retro chairs and sofas have been part of my life for years. My first memory of proper furniture is my grandad’s wingback chair. It was worn, patched, and bedroom chair vintage squeaky, but it felt alive. Back in the sixties, you didn’t buy throwaway chairs. Families saved for months to buy one piece. That history clings to vintage pieces. I found a retro accent chair in a Dalston car boot. Most people would have walked on, but I knew straight away it had something.

It’s become part of my story. Every borough in London has its own taste. Kensington loves velvet, with buttoned wingbacks. Dalston keeps it cheeky, with industrial armchairs. The clash gives it character. Modern flat-pack doesn’t hold a candle. Old-school sofas last decades. They remind us life isn’t flawless. Here’s the thing, I’ll pick a vintage sofa over new every time. Your seat should outlast the years. If you’re scrolling catalogue sites, wander a street full of second-hand accent chair and sofa shops.

Pick up a retro armchair, and make it part of your story.