Sit Pretty: Couch Styling 101 with Julie Holiday

(Wadsworth, Ohio) - Let’s talk about one of my favorite things: styling on a dime—and giving lonely furniture a new lease on life. During my visit to the Wadsworth Goodwill, I spotted a gorgeous tan suede couch sitting quietly in the back of the store. Just $75 and in fantastic condition. I knew immediately—I couldn’t just walk by. She needed a little love and a whole lot of style. So, I did my favorite thing: I gave her a glow-up using items I found right there in the store. Let’s break it down:

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1. Started with a couch in great shape!

Plush, clean, and totally underrated. That soft suede texture? Dreamy. The warm neutral tone? A stylist’s blank canvas. And for just $75? That’s not a deal, that’s a decision. This couch had major potential, the kind that just needed a little vision and a few fabulous thrifted accessories to shine. I knew right away—I wasn’t just styling a couch, I was about to bring her whole personality to life.

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2. Pillows

First up: pillows. And let me tell you, the pillow section at Wadsworth’s Goodwill was poppin' when I was there. Something I look for are matching pillows. A style hack I go to is matching pieces. No more of those one-offs. Their pillows were under $5 a piece and could rival any boutique home store. I picked a few with personality—soft neutrals with blue undertones —and gave them a good karate chop (got out a little aggression). Adding pillows instantly gave the couch a cozy, inviting feel. Think “come sit and spill your secrets” energy.

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3. Trivets and Trays

   Then I added a tray—because every stylish couch needs a practical bestie. I found a charming little wooden tray in the home section that would be perfect for holding drinks, candles, or quick lunch between calls. Trays help define a space and make any couch situation look intentional and feel functional. Plus, now I have a cute spot to rest my lemon water and feel fancy.

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4. Books

   You know I couldn’t resist the book aisle. Wadsworth has a full-on mini library with everything from cookbooks to crime thrillers. I grabbed a stack—because when in doubt, layer it out! Books add instant warmth and personality to a room. Style tip: Stack two or three on the tray or coffee table and top with a candle or a cute decorative object.

   
   

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5. Decor

   Now for the finishing touch: a little decor magic. I snagged an adorable ampersand sign and a couple of quirky, shabby-chic pieces from the shelf. These are the fun little accents that make your space feel personal. The ampersand, to me, says "more to come"—cozy nights & good books, snacks & movie marathons, you & your peaceful place.

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6. Favorite Snack or Meal

   And speaking of cozy nights… of course, I had to test it out with how it would pair with my favorite snack. Goodwill Akron stores carry a ton of kitchen utensils and appliances. I'd recommend looking here -- sometimes you can find new in box items at such low prices.

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7. Footstool Finale

No couch styling session is complete without somewhere to kick your feet up. I found a footstool that paired perfectly with my setup—neutral, soft, and under $15. It brought the whole look together and made the space feel complete. There's something to it: once your feet are up, your heart’s better at peace.

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If you're in the Wadsworth area, stop by the Goodwill at 170 Great Oaks Trail. Style doesn’t have to break the bank. Sometimes, it just takes a good couch, a little creativity, and the joy of the hunt.

Happy styling!