Take bold risks with outdoor throw pillows.

When it comes to teak furniture, deep seating collections in particular, color palettes are where many of us take our risks. However, there is a safe and easy way to be bold. To buy deep seating cushions in anything other than basic solids may be a bit much (imagine an outdoor furniture collection covered in Burberry© or polka dots). The best way to venture out is to buy outdoor throw pillows upholstered in decorative fabrics or exotic colors.

This strategy will allow you to add rich splashes of color that will really make your teak furniture pop. Additionally, since outdoor throw pillows are relatively inexpensive, you don’t have to be afraid to experiment, and you can buy new pillows with new colors and patterns as your tastes or color trends change.

Do not put teak oil on your teak furniture.

Most people put teak oil on their teak patio furniture because they want to preserve the golden color and prevent the teak from developing its gray patina. Not only will the oil darken the color by a few shades, but it will also, if not constantly maintained, attract mold and mildew. Teak oil turns your teak furniture from an easy-to-care-for piece of outdoor furniture to a high maintenance hassle.

* I should mention that if you have your own yachting crew or a house maintenance staff that can reapply the teak oil every season and keep a watchful eye over it, then you can ignore this advice.