With some thought and a little bit of guidance, a renter can create a cohesive look in an apartment. The American Home Furnishings Alliance offers some general shopping tips to make the experience better:

Identify your personal style. Determine whether it is casual, contemporary, country, traditional or eclectic.

Take a look at your preferences. Make a list of your favorite colors, textures and patterns. Do you prefer bolds or pastels, stripes, solids or plaids? Do you lean towards soft, light fabric covers or rich tapestries?

Think about your lifestyle. Do you have a family or are you planning to have children? Do you own pets? Are you anticipating moving soon?

Prioritize your purchases. Decide which items you need or want the most, and then build around them.

Set your budget. No matter how big or modest it is, there are stores that offer good values to suit your style.

Set aside appropriate time for shopping. Browse at your leisure and do extensive research, or take advantage of help from sales personnel. "Shopping for your furniture can be as easy or involved as you want it to be," the AHFA says.

There are designers who will do consultations and provide advice, says Pamela Bayer of Pamela Bayer Interiors in Hudson, and some stores will help customers match furniture to their living spaces. "If you take your blueprint to them, they will lay it out for you," Ms. Bayer says. "They are not interior designers; they are salespeople. Sketch out the rooms, bring it to the furniture store, and ask a sales person to help you play it out."

Trust your own judgment, the AHFA urges. "Buy what you like, and don't be afraid to be bold or different."