Walk through Portobello Market and you’ll spot retro sofas piled high. They’re marked and scarred, but that’s their story

Retro Sofas and Funky Chairs – A Real London Story I can’t walk past a retro armchair without stopping for a look. Growing up, there was a sofa in our house that had seen it all. It was worn, statement sofas patched, and squeaky, but it felt alive. Back in the sixties, an armchair wasn’t just a seat. Families saved for months to buy one piece. That history clings to vintage pieces. I rescued a battered armchair from outside a shop in Peckham. The fabric was stained and faded, but as soon as I sat down it felt right.

That chair still sits in my flat. London’s furniture scene splits by neighbourhood. Belgravia keeps it polished, with plush seating. Dalston keeps it cheeky, with upcycled seats. It’s the mix that makes it all work. New furniture looks dead next to vintage. Old-school sofas last decades. Every creak is a memory. When it comes down to it, I’ll pick a vintage sofa store over new every time. Furniture should live with you.

So next time you’re tempted by something new, armchairs vintage design go dig through a car boot. Choose a funky accent chair, and see how it shapes your nights.