Take a stroll in Spitalfields and you’ll see sofas with decades of life. They’ve got stains and creaks, but that’s their story

From Markets to Mansions: London’s Love for Vintage Sofas and Armchairs I’ve always had a soft spot for bt-13.com old furniture. My first memory of proper furniture is my grandad’s wingback chair. It was worn, patched, and squeaky, but it told a story. In the days of smoky pubs and jazz clubs, people kept things for couch and statement armchairs accent chairs decades. Families saved for months to buy one piece. You can feel it when you sit down. I rescued a battered armchair from outside a shop in Peckham. The legs were wobbling, but as soon as I sat down it felt right.

That chair still sits in my flat. Furniture in London shifts with the postcode. Belgravia keeps it polished, with velvet armchairs. Brixton thrives on colour, with mismatched sofas. London wouldn’t be London without the variety. Mass-produced pieces fade in months. Retro pieces get better with years. They carry scratches like tattoos. At the end of the day, retro armchairs will always beat flat-pack. An armchair should hug you back. When you walk past a glossy showroom, go dig through a car boot.

Pick up a retro armchair, and see how it shapes your nights.