Why Retro Furniture Still Beats Flat-Pack in London Retro chairs and sofas have been part of visit my website life for years. When I was a kid my nan had this battered armchair. The arms were shiny from years of elbows, but it felt alive. In the days of smoky pubs and jazz clubs, furniture meant something. Families saved for months to buy one piece. It’s in the weight of the wood. I found a retro accent chair in a Dalston car boot. The legs were wobbling, but the weight told me it was the real deal.

It’s outlasted three flats and two relationships. Every borough in London has its own taste. Kensington loves velvet, with grand accent chairs. Dalston keeps it cheeky, with mismatched sofas. It’s the mix that makes it all work. Modern flat-pack doesn’t hold a candle. Retro pieces grow with you. Every stain has a story. When it comes down to it, an old funky accent chair means more than new gloss. Furniture should live with you.

When you walk past a glossy showroom, wander a street full of second-hand shops. Pick up a retro armchair, and see how it shapes your nights.