A good outdoor table is the centre of gravity for a garden, patio or poolside. It’s where meals stretch late into the evening and where the family gathers on weekends. But Johor Bahru’s climate is unforgiving on furniture left in the open, so the material you choose matters far more outdoors than it does inside. This page explains how we build made-to-measure garden and outdoor tables, which hardwoods survive our weather, and how to choose the right one for your space.
Cheap outdoor tables rarely last in Johor Bahru. Constant humidity, heavy monsoon rain and strong tropical sun will crack veneers, rust metal frames and rot softwoods within a season or two. A table built from dense Malaysian hardwood behaves completely differently. The same natural oils and tight grain that make these timbers prized for decking also make them ideal for a garden table that stays outside year-round. Buy once, and it becomes an heirloom rather than an annual replacement.
For outdoor and garden tables we work primarily with Chengal and Balau, the same weather-resistant species we use for exterior decking and pergolas. Chengal is the premium choice, with the highest natural durability and a refined grain that silvers beautifully over time. Balau offers excellent outdoor strength and longevity at a more accessible price, which makes it a favourite for larger garden dining tables. For clients who want a warmer tone, Merbau is another handsome option.
The advantage of commissioning rather than buying off the shelf is fit. We build each outdoor table to your exact dimensions, whether that’s a slim balcony table, a generous eight-seater for the garden, or a single-piece slab top that becomes a talking point in its own right. You choose the timber species, the finish, the edge profile and the leg design. Because we’re a direct-manufacturer workshop in Masai rather than a reseller, you work straight with the craftsmen building the piece, which keeps both the quality and the pricing honest.
Our clients commission outdoor tables for a wide range of settings: garden dining sets for family homes, patio and poolside tables that shrug off splashes and sun, low coffee tables for covered verandahs, and robust communal tables for cafes and resorts across Johor and into Singapore. Whatever the setting, the principle is the same: the right hardwood, sized to your space, finished to last.
Hardwood outdoor tables are refreshingly low-maintenance. Wipe the surface down regularly, keep standing water from pooling after heavy rain, and apply a quality exterior oil once or twice a year if you want to preserve the original warm tone rather than letting it weather to a natural silver-grey. Either look is beautiful, and neither compromises the timber’s longevity.
At Oriental Allure Design we design and build bespoke garden and outdoor tables from our atelier in Masai, Johor Bahru, using the same premium hardwoods that go into our timber decking and our gazebos and pergolas. If you’d like a made-to-measure outdoor table sized and finished exactly for your space, contact us for a consultation and we’ll walk you through the options and give you an honest quote.