Teak: The Noble Wood of Indonesian Homes

Run your hand along an old Indonesian door, a temple carving or a well-worn deck chair, and there is a good chance it is teak. For centuries this golden-brown hardwood has been the material of choice for homes, furniture and boats across the archipelago, especially on Java, home to Indonesia's great teak forests.

Teak's reputation rests on its natural oils. They make the wood remarkably resistant to water, rot and insects, which is why it ages so gracefully outdoors in a tropical climate. Left untreated, it slowly turns a soft silver-grey; oiled, it keeps its warm honey tone. It is also stable, strong and pleasant to work, which makes it a favourite of carvers and furniture makers.

Its popularity has come at a cost. Old-growth teak has become rare and expensive, and illegal logging remains a concern in the region. Today, most Indonesian teak comes from managed plantations, and buying responsibly makes a real difference.

If you would like to take home a piece of furniture or a carving from Bali, Lombok or Java, ask where the wood comes from. Look for certified or plantation-grown timber, Indonesia's SVLK legality verification, or reclaimed teak from old houses and boats, which carries its own beautiful patina.

Natural wood is at the heart of The Gili Beach Resort, where the three private villas are built in wood, a warm and timeless way to live the island life on Gili Trawangan.