Furnishing a house

[DesperatelySeeking2016]

I have just found out that in September 2018 we are moving into a huge house (associated with dh's job). We have enough furniture for a normal sized house and a small budget (approx £7000) to buy new stuff/decorate/change flooring and I am feeling daunted!
The budget clearly isn't going to big enough but I am reluctant to spend too much because when he gets another job in the future and we move back into a normal sized house we will have loads of excess stuff.
Can anyone recommend places to buy nice furniture at a reasonable cost? The house is an old Victorian building with high ceilings and large rooms but we would like to lighten it and go for more of a modern look rather than a period look. I don't want it to just look like an IKEA showroom!

I would go to auctions or charity shops to buy older pieces - they will look really good even if you are going for a modern look. Large sideboards with modern prints/ bright lamps (i.e from habitat) leaning against them will look great.

Then sell them on if you need to when you move.

I'd second auctions, eBay charity furniture shops. Often large furniture goes for a snip at auctions as new houses are often too small to accommodate it. Brown furniture is a bargain at the moment and can be painted or sanded to a paler colour.
Most charity furniture shops will deliver for a small fee.

Our local bhf shop has loads of reasonable furniture, especially if you're prepared to paint or renovate it. Often big items too, as not many people need big furniture so it comes from house clearances and then they sell it cheap! We bought a big house and had whole rooms empty so needed quite a lot of things.
We have had a few bargains, an old dressing table which I painted to use as a sideboard and a cocktail cabinet which we use as a cabinet in our hall way. Both were a tenner each, and £10 delivery. Bargains!

Some of the stuff is pretty ugly to be honest. But if you rummage about and check in regularly then you will get a good selection. I made a list of everything I 'want' and every time I see a bargain I get it, rather than go out specifically for one item. The things I think are expensive are chest of drawers and bedside tables/cabinets- these seem to be £££ compared to other items for some reason.

Is he a vicar?!

We gave s few charity shops around here that specialise in furniture. We got stuff from one when we moved in to our first home, and then as we replaced it with better stuff we donated it back again.

Agree with averagebear that bedside tables are often pricey. I have used small stools as bedside tables, and those old fashioned nested side tables that can be picked up very cheaply.

These facebay selling groups (like garage sale) are also great for reasonably priced second hand furniture. And you can often pick up a bargain and then add some personal touches to it yourself. Some may be a little worn but it could add character - and there's lots of people getting rid of stuff due to downsizing etc that's almost brand new.

*varage sale!

Thank you. There are some great suggestions here. No he isn't a vicar