London’s Retro Revival: Why Vintage Armchairs and Sofas Still Rule Vintage sofas just feel more real than anything new. We had an old floral sofa that was patched and sagging. It sagged in the middle and retro style sofa bed smelled faintly of tea, unusual sofa but it had heart. When London was swinging, a sofa wasn’t just a sofa. You’d go second-hand instead of brand new. It’s in the weight of the wood. I rescued a battered armchair from outside a shop at sofasdirect.com in Peckham. Most people would have walked on, but I knew straight away it had something.

That chair still sits in my flat. London’s furniture scene splits by neighbourhood. Kensington loves velvet, with grand accent chairs. Hackney keeps it raw, with mismatched sofas. London wouldn’t be London without the variety. Modern flat-pack doesn’t hold a candle. Retro pieces grow with you. They carry scratches like tattoos. Truth be told, retro armchairs will always beat flat-pack. A sofa should tell your story.

Before you grab a soulless bargain, step into a dusty warehouse. Save a battered seat, and make it part of your story.