I don;t know if there is a legal definition for furnished (maybe try the PRTB or Threshold to see what they advise)
I always understood the following:
- Unfurnished : nothing other than fittings, but clean & painted
- Furnished : beds, sofa, basic kitchen equipment (kettle, knifes, forks, plate, pots pans, bin....definately a teaspoon !!)
I would not expect the following in a furnished place - duvets, pillows, towels, cleaning stuff (but I always leave loads!!), iron, vases/ornaments,
These days, I find people tend not to want the cups, plates, kettle I leave (new, clean but not top of the range & prob not to their colour scheme!!) & they replace with their own - this may change again!!
Check out your lease & talk to your landlord - there may be a misunderstanding. Last time I let, I didn't put in a table as the previous 2 tenants had removed them to use the space for other thing (there is also a good size breakfast bar in the kitchen). BUT - I told the new tenant I would get a table & chairs or desk, depending what would suit them.