If your furniture is in good condition, you may want to donate it to an operation like Goodwill. All Goodwill retail locations accept furniture, but it’s your responsibility to get it there. So call that friend with a pickup truck and promise him a few beers, and it’ll be an easy way to do something charitable for once in your life.

If you’re not looking to spend a lot of money on a new couch, this should be your first stop. Fresh and classically modern, most of Ikea’s couches are slipcovered, which means easy washing. And they’re cheap enough so that you can pick up an extra cover if you want to change colors or if you just want to have an extra one on hand. Decent quality at a can’t-be-beat price, the Ektorp sofas at Ikea were the only ones that fit down the narrow hallway of our 200 year-old house. But while we didn’t have a choice, I still recommend Ikea as the to-go place for anyone in the market for a new couch.

I found the commercials for Bernie & Phyl’s so annoying and off-putting that I vowed to never set foot in one of their stores, ever. But when I did (out of sheer desperation, mind you) I was pleasantly surprised. They carry a wide variety of styles from tacky to simple, at excellent prices. And next day delivery will ensure that you get your new couch ASAP.

It’s a wonder Jordan’s helmsman Eliot Tatelman still has a job. After the “If-the-Red-Sox-win-the-World-Series-you-get-your-furniture-for-free” debacle, he’s at it again with yet another contest. So it goes to show you the money behind this operation. Movie theaters, restaurants, trapeze school – it’s all at their stores, in addition to (oh, yeah!) furniture. A step above Bernie & Phyl’s, Jordans offers a huge selection of styles in a wide range of prices. Customer service is fabulous, but unless you buy exactly what they’ve got on the floor, you’ll have to wait weeks for your delivery to arrive.

Very similar to Jordan’s, Boston Interiors prides itself on offering furniture comparable to brand-name lines at more affordable prices. While not offering as enormous of a selection as a place like Jordan’s, they absolutely carry a select group of couches that mimic ones you’ve admired. The prices are moderate and competitive, but not rock-bottom by any means.

The simple, classic designs of Pottery Barn work in just about any type of decor. The store offers a variety of upholstery and slipcover options for each of its couches, so you’re not limited to what you see in the catalogs or stores. Excellent quality at a bit of a cost, these couches are a great investment for those looking for a longer-term piece of furniture that will last for years.

Looking for something completely different, and don’t mind a high price tag? Then go to Devi Home in Boston’s South End. Inspired by the Far East, Devi carries Asian imported home furnishings that use reclaimed wood for truly unique and beautiful pieces.

Originally only selling to the trade, Montage offers a select group of pieces to retail. Ultra-modern and sleek, these couches are super pricey but high-end and mid-century fashionable.

No matter where you are, Service Master will come to you and clean the filthy upholstery that covers your couch. The good news is, this company responded to the Pentagon disaster on September 11, so they can certainly take care of the crayon scribbles your sweet, innocent child made on the seat cushion.

If you are looking for a professionally made slipcover or brand-new upholstery, Landry’s is your place. They have a fabulous selection of fabric to choose from and – woo hoo! – can even come to your home to consult with you and haul away your couch for a makeover. Just be aware: custom slipcovers and upholstery (not to mention the fabric) are expensive, so prepare to pay as much as it would cost to buy a new one at Jordan’s. But if you want to preserve a family heirloom, it’s worth it.

This chain carries a line of ready-made slipcovers by Sure Fit. Cheap and suprisingly decent-looking, these are a great temporary alternative to custom-made and come in different sizes that work with almost any couch. Although they sometimes can shift around annoyingly, they’re the perfect solution to covering up an outdated or yucky-looking sofa while you figure out what the heck you’re going to do.