skytops
If you're already the owner of decent furniture in your home country and it's likely to fit the dimensions of your new pad, whether it be 2/3 bed apartment or villa, take the allowance and use the money to ship your own stuff. Likewise, using the allowance to fit out a small 2 bed apartment would also work...just.
A 3 bed apt or 3/4 villa with 45k will not come close, unless you want it looking like a cheap mini IKEA showroom. Going for the company provided furniture would work better for the first 3-5 years (you may not decide to stay longer anyway). Quality is passable for short term but it will mean groundhog day as you visit all your other EK friends.
Putting the 45k into perspective, I've just forked out over 70,000 for a dinning table, 10 chairs and a side unit. I'm hoping that's going to last slightly longer than 4 years!