Take a stroll in Spitalfields and you’ll notice vintage wingbacks with cracked leather. They’ve got stains and creaks, but that’s what makes them magic

Vintage Armchairs, Accent Chairs, and Sofas: Proper Character for Real Homes Vintage sofas just feel more real than anything new. My first memory of proper furniture is my grandad’s wingback chair. The fabric was torn but held together, but it carried memories. When the East End was full of voices, a sofa wasn’t just a sofa. You’d keep the same chair your whole life. It’s in the sag of the springs. I once pulled a Chesterfield out of a warehouse in Hackney.

The legs were wobbling, classic armchair designs but you can’t fake that kind of comfort. It’s outlasted three flats and two relationships. London’s furniture scene splits by neighbourhood. Belgravia keeps it polished, with buttoned wingbacks. Hackney keeps it raw, with industrial armchairs. The clash gives it character. The catalogue stuff has no soul. Accent chairs from another era last decades. Every stain has a story. If you ask me straight, an old funky accent chair means more than new gloss.

Furniture should live with you. If you’re scrolling catalogue sites, go dig through a car boot. Grab a vintage sofa, home seating solutions and see how it shapes your nights.