Comfort, function, style -- aren't these qualities desirable by every buyer of furniture? Unless you're in college and hoping for free hand-me-downs that you don't have to fret over when your neighbor spills his soda during the Superbowl, then probably so.

When choosing furniture, you want to consider price and style. First, figure out your budget. What you can afford and what you want aren't always different or mutually exclusive, but they definitely can be. Armani taste doesn't always fit a non-profit employee's budget.

Determine what have and what you need. Do an inventory of the pieces you have so you can pinpoint what you need to fill in the gaps. If you can't find what you're looking for in your parent's house (seriously, who ever bought, or made, that floral suede couch?), put it on your list of things to get.

Decide what style you like. Pick pieces that fit your space and your personality. Map your floor plan out. There are Internet tools to help with this. Mapping your floor plan helps you figure out how best to arrange your stuff and how the flow of your apartment will work (without having to drag your furniture all over your place).

As a rule, don't put large furniture in small spaces, unless you like that cramped, walls-are-coming-in-on-me feeling (even if you do, chances are your guests won't). Pick things that go together. You might get crazy and re-decorate one day. Won't it be cool when you can mix and match from room to room? Take it from us, yes. Very.