Sometimes the old ways are the best.
When it comes to furniture, we can’t get enough of old styles, bringing them back to take centre stage in our homes.
Retro and vintage furniture has a story to tell and often sports a unique look that elevates interiors more quickly than a full paint-and-tile transformation can.
Whether you’re hoping to update your breakfast bar with a wishbone-style stool, want to kick back in Seventies style in the living room, or just want a pretty occasional chair to sit in the corner of the bedroom, there are options for everyone.
While true vintage costs a pretty penny, there are lots of vintage-inspired chairs out there as well as reproductions that mimic the real thing without denting your pocket.
We’ve checked out the finest homeware stores to bring you the best. From Ligne Roset’s famous Togo sofas inspired by toothpaste to chairs first championed by long-gone French kings, see our edit of the best vintage-look chairs below. We’ve never been so excited to sit down.
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Ligne Roset By Michel Ducaroy Togo Tangerine Armchair And Footstool, Set Of 2
Inspired by a squashed tube of toothpaste, Togo chairs and sofas were one of the most iconic chairs of the 70s, popularised by Ligne Roset. The look is defined by a dimpled, frame-free seat that offers supreme levels of comfort and is available in an array of configurations and colours. For a single seater who wants to kick back in style, this tangerine version with a matching foot rest hits the mark.
Also available at Heal’s
Buy now £2670.00, Vinterior
John Lewis Bobbin Armchair, Black Frame/Stax Moss Green
You read it here first; bobbin furniture is back. Also known as spool furniture, it’s all about showcasing woodcraft, turning the function of legs and frame into an ornamental feature all of its own. The first designs can be traced back to the late 17th century and were typically on heavy pieces, although now you can find much lighter versions, like this black and moss green armchair, that fit the cottagecore trend to a tee.
There’s also a petite version for £499.
Buy now £599.00, John Lewis
Dunelm Giselle Velvet Mink Occasional Chair
A faultless era for style in all its forms, pieces with a 70s edge are coming back into vogue, from squiggly-edged mirrors to rattan… well, everything. Dunelm has this deep-seated mango wood armchair with a plush biscuit-coloured velvet cushion and rattan panelled back. Add rust or wine-hued blankets and cushions to play up the tonal effect with a retro palette.
Buy now £199.20, Dunelm
Dunelm Tallie Ivory Boucle Storage Accent Chair
White boucle is a textile that’s made a comeback in terms of interior trends; it was first in the spotlight back in the mid-50s thanks to Chanel’s iconic jacket.
Contemporary yet retro, this chair offers excellent value by including a matching footrest in the purchase - here it’s tucked neatly under the seat. The light shade means it’s a chair best reserved for the bedroom where there’s less chance of spilling something on it. A polished piece that looks far more expensive than its modest RRP.
Buy now £275.00, Dunelm
Oliver Bonas Frank Green Velvet Armchair
The tub chair is a living room favourite, with some crediting King Louis XV for making the barrel-shaped seats popular with the French elite. Comfortable enough for royalty, they’re still hugely popular today, most often spotted in bars and smart hotels. Bring the luxe look home with Oliver Bonas’s contemporary spin on the seat; its Frank armchair is covered in soft green velvet complemented with blush contrast piping. Also available in blue, it’s destined to become your favourite seat in the house.
Buy now £595.00, Oliver Bonas
Latitude Run Arocha Leather Reception Chair
The egg chair, originally designed for a hotel chain and to replace sofas, is the fastest route to elevate your space. The futuristic shape may have been knocking around for the best part of 50 years, but it still manages to look contemporary and is an instant focal point. This minimalist version has been made in Poland using real leather to create a sumptuous seat you won’t tire of looking at or sitting in.
Buy now £659.99, Wayfair
Spinningfield Fairfield Frame Lounge Chair
With plenty of straight lines and sharp angles, this chair has nailed mid century styles but for a snip of the price of an original. This is a chair for sitting in with deep cushions to support you while watching the box or catching up with the papers. The forest green coloured cushions add to its appeal.
Buy now £219.99, VonHaus
Dunelm Angus Kashmar Chenille Snuggle Chair
For those who want their furniture to look like it’s done a bit of living, this roomy armchair fits the bill. It’s covered in a striking kilm-inspired chenille fabric that’s both super comfortable and makes a statement and comes with a pair of matching cushions to dial up the cosy vibes. Foam cushions and a wide seat makes it the perfect place to curl up while the perfectly spherical dark wood legs offer another vintage-esque detail to admire.
Buy now £799.00, Dunelm
Office Furniture Online Antique Replica Captains Chair
Available in mahogany and yew wood options, this rounded captain's chair is inspired by the command chair used by high-ranking naval officers in the 19th century. It's now a popular look for those who want to recreate the feeling of power at home, especially in home offices, studies and libraries. The buttoned backrest offers support whether you’re catching up on work or browsing the web.
Buy now £1100.40, Office Furniture Online
Palazzo Exclusive Cat660g33 French Armchair Antique Baroque Chair
French-style furniture makes a lovely finishing touch to country-themed homes with curved lines and patterned upholstery over plenty of padding. This chair is inspired by the ones you'll find in the opulent Palace of Versailles and features an aged wood frame to make it look like the real deal. One for adding a touch of luxe to the bedroom.
Buy now £489.99, Amazon
Antique Wooden Metamorphic Arts & Crafts Library Steps Chair
Multifunctional furniture isn’t a new invention; they’ve been doing it since the 1920s. This antique chair is thought to date from the tail-end of the Arts and Crafts movement, and transforms from a chair to a ladder with one swivel. It’s perfect for keeping in reading nooks, allowing you to reach your favourite books from the top of the bookshelf with ease. The beautiful aged wood piece shows signs of wear, adding to its charm.
Buy now £269.00, Vinterior
Marlow Home Co Nayeli Upholstered Accent Chair
This cocktail chair will feel just at home in the bedroom as it will in the living room, offering a comfy place to perch. Its rounded edges and Chesterfield-style buttoning offers a feel that’s similar to French-style furniture. Also available in teal and rust colours.
Buy now £149.99, Wayfair
ManoMano Louis XVI French style solid beech wood armchair
Give your home an upgrade with this stunning vintage-look armchair made with a solid beech wood frame and finished with metallic grey paint. Crafted in Egypt, white upholstery adds to the luxe effect.
Buy now £269.00, ManoMano
Cult Furniture Wish Wooden Bar Stool, Natural Weave & Black
Height: 109cm
Modelled on the highly coveted 1949 Hans Wegner design, interiors fans haven’t failed to notice versions of the Wishbone chair doing the rounds. This reproduction of the most-wanted Danish design literally elevates the look for breakfast bars, kitchen counters and home bars with the curved Y-shaped back sitting 109cm high. Made with black-stained beech wood and a contrast natural paper cord seat, it’s an easy way to bring style points to your interiors.
Buy now £259.00, Cult Furniture
Anthropologie Perri Leather Chair
Shell-inspired chairs have been incredibly popular for the last decade or so, their scalloped edges casting a fresh silhouette to elevate the home (like this one from Oliver Bonas, £495). Anthropologie’s Perri design takes it a step further, with an entire seat made to feel like you’re sitting in a particularly comfortable clamshell. Made with mustard-coloured leather upholstery, it will be delivered in one piece, ready to steal the spotlight.
Buy now £2498.00, Anthropologie
