Why Retro Furniture Still Beats Flat-Pack in London Retro chairs and sofas have been part of my life for years. When I was a kid my nan had this battered armchair. It sagged in the middle and smelled faintly of tea, but it had heart. Back in the sixties, people kept things for decades. You’d keep the same chair your whole life. It’s in the sag of the springs. I found a retro accent chair in a Dalston car boot.

It weren’t pretty at first glance, but the history spoke louder than the flaws. Friends always fight to sit in it. You can tell the area by the chairs. Hampstead stays calm, with grand accent chairs. Brixton thrives on colour, with bold fabrics. It’s the mix that makes it all work. Modern flat-pack doesn’t hold a candle. Armchairs with scars become part of your life. They carry scratches like tattoos. Here’s the thing, a battered sofa tells more truth than any showroom.

family-friendly furniture should live with you. Next time you’re thinking of flat-pack, classic armchairs stop and traditional armchairs think of the markets. Pick up a retro armchair, and watch it age alongside you.