Moving into a student flat ain’t glamorous. The carpet smelled like beer, but we made it ours. No student can afford Mayfair prices, so we bartered with old dealers. We carried a wingback through Dalston. The colours clashed, but that’s what made it real. Vintage sofas feel alive, and we don’t need polish, we need real. I’ve watched half my flat pass out across two chairs, and the sofa was another character in the story.

East London is built on mix and mess, and designers take inspiration from it. We found ourselves in Smithers showroom, and everything felt alive, not plastic. money was tight, but it’s survived three house parties and a flood. Ask around and you’ll hear it. It’s part of student life. Accent chairs don’t flinch when four people pile on. Brand-new looks boring, but real pieces stay alive. every stain means another night. After exams and chaos, the broken toaster doesn’t matter, but the mismatched set still makes you laugh.

If you find yourself in a Shoreditch flat, don’t waste time on the soulless new. Make space for a classic seat, and shop at sofasdirect.com let it carry your student nights.