Vintage Armchairs, Accent Chairs, and Sofas: Proper Character for Real Homes I’ve always had a soft spot for old furniture. The family armchair was covered in throws but still solid. It was worn, vintage accent chairs patched, and squeaky, but it told a story. In the days of smoky pubs and jazz clubs, an armchair wasn’t just a seat. Chairs lived longer than flats. It’s in the sag of the springs. I once pulled a Chesterfield out of a warehouse in Hackney. Most people would have walked on, but I knew straight away it had something.

Friends always fight to sit in it. London’s furniture scene splits by neighbourhood. Chelsea leans plush, with deep sofas. Brixton thrives on colour, with funky retro chairs. It’s the mix that makes it all work. Mass-produced pieces fade in months. Vintage finds get better with years. Every creak is a memory. If you ask me straight, retro armchairs will always beat flat-pack. Furniture should live with you. Next time you’re thinking different styles of armchairs flat-pack, go dig through a car boot.

Choose a funky accent chair, and see how it shapes your nights.