Chic Teak - Plantation Teak Garden Furniture
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Southwood Farm, Dummer

Basingstoke, RG23 7LU

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Spring is on the way

Spring is on the way, so it’s time to think about replacing your garden furniture!

Although the skies are grey and the temperature is hovering just above freezing, it won’t be long until the first signs of Spring are here. It’s hard to imagine spending time in the garden when the weather is so miserable at this time of year, but before you know it you will be bringing out the garden furniture from the garage or shed and setting it up.

It’s probably at this point you will realise the furniture is looking a little worse for wear – or you may have noticed this when you stored it away at the end of last summer – so why not think about replacing the tables and chairs in time for this summer?

One of the problems when you buy cheaper furniture for the garden is that it doesn’t stand up to the elements. It may look okay for the first couple of years but very soon you will notice that the paint or varnish is peeling off.

With this in mind, it’s a good idea to think about investing in quality teak garden chairs and other items like tables and loungers. Okay, they may cost a little more when you make the initial outlay, but you won’t have to think about replacing them for many years.

Teak is hard-wearing and durable, so when you are choosing wooden garden tables it may be worth considering this material. Have a look at what we can offer you here at Chic Teak and make your choice.

 

Storing Garden Furniture Through the Winter

 

Having garden furniture is great during the summer as it allows you to make the most of your outside space, and is even almost like having an extension to your house. However, for many people in the UK there is a worry because of the amount of bad weather we have and how this can affect beautiful garden tables and chairs. With the terrible winters that we’ve had of recent years, knowing what to do with your furniture can be difficult. Obviously, if there is room to temporarily store it in a garage or shed this is advisable. However, before you do so, you should carry out some simple cleaning and maintenance to ensure your furniture is in tip top condition when it comes back out again.

Before you store your furniture, make sure you clean off as much of the dirt and grime as possible using mildly soapy water and a sponge, and then dry it off in the sunshine. If you have any cushions, machine wash all of these (or sponge wash if they are not machine washable). If you can fold or stack your outdoor chairs, doing so will save you space. Should you not have room in your garage or shed, then place the stack in a sheltered corner of the garden and use a waterproof patio furniture cover to protect them from the elements. After any bad weather, check that water has not accumulated under the cover, and dry your furniture off if it has.

 

Keeping Rattan Furniture Clean

Even if you are house proud and like to clean your home regularly, when it comes to conservatory and patio furniture, you should only clean it when it needs cleaning, so as to keep it in the best condition. Rattan furniture is not as hard wearing as other types of metal or wooden furniture, and should only be cleaned using a soft cloth sprayed with furniture polish. You can also use very mild soapy water to remove dirt, but this can fade the furniture’s appearance, so should only be used where necessary. To get into the nooks and crannies, use a soft, natural bristle brush that won’t damage the surface but will remove any dirt or grime. If you spill something on the furniture or cushions, you should always try and get it out immediately using mild soapy water.

Day to day maintenance of rattan conservatory furniture includes keeping pets away from it, as they can scratch the coating or damage it. Therefore, if you have pets, we don’t recommend having rattan furniture outside as it will be harder to keep them away from it. Using cushions and making sure people sit on the seat of the furniture rather than the arms is another way to keep it in good condition. Should you find that the wood is starting to crack or split however, you need to put some moisture back into it using boiled linseed oil. Putting a rubber stopper under the legs of the garden furniture will also help decrease the chance of the rattan splitting.

 

Why Choose Teak for Your Outdoor Furniture

 

Wooden garden furniture should always be made from a hardwood such as teak because it is far better able to stand up to the harsh elements than softwood. Particularly in this country with its very changeable weather across all four seasons, being able to leave your furniture outside no matter what the weather is a major consideration. Teak seats and tables are the ideal choice for homes, restaurants and cafés because it shouldn’t need to be replaced for a good couple of decades if properly maintained.

Another major reason for choosing teak over other kinds of hardwood, is that it is resistant to termites and wood worm. This advantage of teak over oak, for example, was first seen when Chinese shipbuilders started to build their ships from teak and found that it didn’t get destroyed. It also proved successful on the water, resisting warping and shrinkage and not rotting, even repelling the water because of its high oil content.

If you have been put off buying garden tables and chairs until now because you have been worried about what will happen when it rains or snows, then now is the time to stop worrying. Our beautiful teak furniture will stand the test of time. With so few nice days in the year, when the good weather does hit, you’ll be able to get outside and enjoy it. All you need to do is to remember to bring in any cushions at the end of each day, as these are not weather-resistant!

 

Entertain in Style with a Garden Bar

 

There are few nations that enjoy using an outside space quite as much as the British. Most likely because of the unpredictability of our weather and our lack of a decent summer, as soon as there’s a nice day the first thing everyone does is go outside to enjoy it, because who knows when the next one will come along. Another popular British favourite is the barbecue, and people love to get their friends and family round for a gathering.

For anyone who loves to play host, your outdoor furniture should comprise of more than a simple set of tables and chairs. Our teak bar tables and stools are a great addition to any garden, helping to extend the party on those long summer nights. Even when you’re not entertaining, sitting around our Round Bar Table will make you feel like you’re on holiday – for as long as the weather lasts!

As with all our teak furniture, our garden bars are made from the highest quality teak. As a responsible company, we always make sure that our teak wood comes from Government controlled plantations which are fully sustainable. Teak is our wood of choice for any outdoor furniture because it is water and termite-resistant.

Businesses can take advantage of our fabulous bar tables and stools too, as they make a great addition to any pool or leisure area.

 

Making the Most of Outside Space

 

Working in the UK leisure industry can have its ups and downs. Since the introduction of budget airlines offering cheap flights, it can be hard to compete with warmer destinations such as France and Spain, but as air travel starts to become more expensive again and the effects of the recession are still going strong, more and more people are opting for a ‘staycation’ and staying put. It’s never been a better time, therefore, to make sure that you have all the best facilities to make holidaymakers feel as if they’re not missing out by staying in the UK.

Although we complain about our weather, many areas of the UK are in fact blessed with some sunshine throughout the summer months, and so anyone in the leisure industry should make the most of their outside space with some outdoor furniture. It can be tempting to try and save money in this area, but for Brits in particular, it is essential to get quality furniture that will withstand exposure to bright sunshine and heavy downpours. This is why we specialise in teak furniture, which is the ideal choice for any furniture which is kept outside, such as pool loungers, tables and chairs.

Bar stools and tables which are kept outside are likely to get a lot of use, and so also need to be hardwearing and water-resistant. Here at Chic Teak, we provide quality furniture using high grade and responsibly sourced teak, and always at competitive prices.

 

Dual Purpose Wicker Furniture

 

Having a conservatory is having an additional room to your home, and as such you’ll want it to be decorated to the same high standards. While teak garden furniture is best for outdoor spaces and can certainly double up as conservatory furniture too, you might prefer to choose something lighter and more delicate inside, such as wicker or rattan. Most people opt for wicker or rattan conservatory furniture because it is less likely to be damaged by the heat and changes in temperature.

The great thing about rattan or wicker furniture is that it can be easily lifted outside when it’s a nice day so you can enjoy the sunshine. When choosing the cushions for your furniture, go for lighter rather than darker colours so that they will not fade when exposed to the bright sunshine in your conservatory. If you do wish to leave your furniture outside, then do remember to always remove the cushions overnight to avoid them getting wet, stained or damaged.

The Madeira range featuring either two armchairs, footrest and side table or a sofa and coffee table, is ideal for this dual purpose of conservatory and garden furniture and looks beautiful too in muted brown tones. All our wicker chairs and sofas come complete with their cushions, and the tables have an easy to clean durable glass top. They will look naturally beautiful in your garden, as well as blending in stylishly with your home décor, and also come fully assembled, saving you some effort there too.

 

The Longevity of Teak Garden Furniture

Teak outdoor furniture is a wonderful addition to any garden. Indeed, the richness and quality of teak allows an outdoor space to enjoy a warmth, depth and style that radiates with elegance. Of course, when you purchase teak tables and chairs for your garden, you want them to last for a good long time. Therefore it is very important that you know exactly what to look for and how to care for them.

By far the easiest way to get the most out of teak outside furniture is to purchase only top-quality products that have been prepared for outdoor living. Here at Chic Teak, we understand that the British weather is less than helpful when it comes to caring for outdoor furniture and that is why our teak furniture is specially kiln dried to ensure it lasts longer. We also believe that prevention is better than cure, and therefore we make sure our teak products contain as little moisture as possible during the manufacturing process so that we can be confident they will not split, fade or warp as they encounter the seasons. Furthermore, we also make sure that we use only the thickest and most robust teak available so that our products are impressively strong and durable.

In fact, the only thing that you will need to do with teak chairs and tables bought from us here at Chic Teak is wash them down with a little soap and water a few times a year.

 

Making the Most of the Humble Patio

There are so many options when it comes to garden patios and patio accessories these days that practically any home is now able to enjoy the luxury of a patio area, regardless of its shape or size.

Of course, garden furniture plays a key role in setting the style of a patio. For example, the addition of coffee tables and small furniture items can be a great way to help people chill out and relax on their patio after hard day at work. Similarly, larger furniture items such as teak garden tables can help to create an outside dining area rather than a mere relaxation space.

Furthermore, other wooden furniture items such as teak garden benches can also bring something extra to a patio area. Indeed, wooden furniture is well-known for its durability so it will be sure to make an impression that lasts for a good long time.

In addition to furniture items and accessories; a few simple, yet effective, plants or ornaments can also help to give a patio space some unique character and charm. In fact, strategically placing shrubs next to tables and chairs really can help to make a patio feel more like an outside living room.

Here at Chic Teak, we have a wide range of outside wooden furniture products that are guaranteed to bring out the best in any patio or garden. Browse our pages further to find out more and view our outstanding products in greater detail.

 

The Understated Character and Charm of Teak Garden Furniture

Gardens which have their own unique character are always a joy to explore and experience, and one feature that can add a great deal of character to practically any outdoor space is garden furniture. Indeed, good quality outside furniture can not only provide a garden with a personality all of its own, it can also last a very long time and therefore become an integral part of a garden’s constantly evolving charm.

Teak has always been a very popular material choice for garden chairs and tables as it blends in beautifully with all kinds of leafy natural habitats. This quality gives teak a somewhat understated elegance which can provide a garden with a focal point without looking too obvious.

Of course, attention to detail is a key aspect of any outdoor space looking good, therefore it is very important that only outdoor furniture and garden accessories of the highest order are selected to bring out the best aspects of a garden.

The fact that all of our teak furniture items here at Chic Teak are hand carved means they have a character and charm that mass produced furniture items simply cannot match. And, with our products available in a wide selection of styles, there are more than enough options to ensure gardens of all types, settings and sizes can be catered for.

Explore our pages further to view our great range of teak benches, tables, chairs and associated products in greater detail.