We have plain walls in Farrow and Ball colours (modern emulsion, not estate emulsion, as the latter doesn't wipe clean), cream paintwork and a looped beige carpet that is wool but resembles sisal. We repaint every 4 years and touch up in between times with Farrow and Ball matchpots (another reason for using that paint rather than a range that might change).
We put in a decent range-style dual fuel Smeg cooker with self-cleaning liners, that is classy and which the tenants like a lot.
Bathroom and WC have laminate floors.
Budget for a new boiler as the old one is bound to go wrong as soon as you're short of cash, and tenants won't wait.
We provide kitchen table and chairs and curtains/blinds but that's it on the furniture front (there are a lot of fitted cupboards, though).
We ended up getting the property fully managed, as it proved to be a false economy doing it ourselves, even though I have a lot of property experience and a black book of contacts.
On moving in day I put nice smelling white supermarket soap by all the sinks, cheap new white hand towels (Tesco) and loo rolls in the bathroom and WC, and a kitchen roll, cheap new tea towel and a small bottle of washing up liquid in the kitchen. I also leave a pint of milk, the makings of a couple of hot drinks, and a packet of biscuits in the kitchen as well. I make sure we vet and meet all tenants and welcome them in on arrival. That makes sure they are more likely to look after the property.
You will probably need some rewiring done in order to pass electrical inspection, but thereafter it only needs doing every five years. Gas inspections need doing annually and should be taken very seriously indeed.
WRT garden, discourage tenants from establishing new beds as these end up needing a lot of upkeep. WRT deposits, charge a double deposit for pets such as cats and dogs as invariably the carpets end up smelling and needing replacing, and all curtains need dry cleaning, and there tends to be a dispute over this.
Best of luck with it all.