Judges clash as THE BLOCK contestants deliver bold bedroom designs

Episode 17 Recap: The Block’s master bedroom and walk-in wardrobe reveals brought bold risks, big budgets and even bigger judge reactions.

Sunday night on The Block brought the spotlight to one of the most scrutinised areas in any home: the main bedroom and walk-in wardrobe. Alongside the kitchen and living space, it is a room buyers instinctively head for first, and for the contestants, it represented both a design challenge and a high-stakes opportunity.

The five teams delivered a mix of bold design, intricate styling and, at times, divisive choices. Secret entrances, hidden wardrobes and personalised touches were woven throughout the spaces, but under the ticking clock, not every vision translated to success.

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Emma and Ben

Long regarded as the “nicest couple” of the season, Emma and Ben once again impressed the judging panel. Having grown up together on Melbourne’s Mornington Peninsula, the pair seemed unfazed by the pressure. Their main bedroom, executed with a burgundy and oak brown palette, drew strong praise.

Shaynna Blaze was particularly taken by the detailing:

“It’s all about the textures of the carpet, the rug, the curves in the chairs and the circular ottomans.”

The styling incorporated The Block Shop’s “Fossil Face” artworks, Cooper & Co mirrors and Few & Far’s Jett Occasional Chair. Shaynna admired the pendant lighting, travertine and oak wardrobes, declaring it “excellent!”

Marty Fox noted that buyers would appreciate both the main space and the luxury of the walk-in wardrobe, which included an island as large as many kitchen benches. While the design bordered on a perfect score, a low-hanging light cost them crucial points when Marty accidentally hit his head.

Viewers were split on Emma and Ben’s lavish walk-in wardrobe, with several suggesting the island bench was “overkill”, while others admired its luxury. Some thought the mirror placement was impractical, too close to the island to be useful. Their styling also divided opinion, with the brown tones called “boring” by some, though others felt the bedroom was polished and marketable.

The couple spent $24,575 and secured 28 points, placing them in second position.

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Han and Can

Opting for a bold and risky approach, Han and Can leaned heavily on vibrant blue tones, inspired by Bromley and Karen Goddard artworks. Their main bedroom was anchored by a Martini Furniture bedhead, Milly cushions, a Cooper & Co squiggly floor lamp, and retro-inspired Lucy and Hartley vases.

While the styling pieces were admired in isolation, the overall impact proved polarising. Marty Fox opened his critique bluntly, saying he “hated everything” about the room, describing the feature wall and lighting as overwhelming. Shaynna raised concerns about consistency, remarking that their bathroom, main bedroom and wardrobe all felt disconnected.

The wardrobe, however, was more warmly received, with the judges agreeing that the Freedom joinery used space effectively.

Fans were more forgiving of Han and Can’s bold choices than the judges. Many argued the bright blue could have worked if paired with warmer tones, while others labelled it “soft and calming”. Still, some sided with Marty Fox’s blunt assessment, calling the colour “fish and chip shop blue” and urging the pair to lean into the burnt orange tones seen elsewhere in their house.

Their spend was $18,643, earning them 20 points and leaving them in last place.

Britt and Taz

The week’s winners, Britt and Taz, delivered what the judges considered a sophisticated and balanced space. Neutral tones were lifted with gold accents, while art played a central role, including works from Lizzy Stageman, Bronwyn Barton, and the standout feature, Numbuh-ba Jagun (Back to Earth) by Brad Turner and Cara Sanders.

Marty Fox described the room as “rich, but not snobby”. The judges admired the Grafico detailing on the bedhead, light switches and skirting curves, while a Rug Addiction Clooney rug anchored the room. Their wardrobe was equally applauded, with its layout, styling and a Hettich fingerprint safe earning praise as a “Goldilocks” space that was “just right”.

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Britt and Taz’s winning room was widely praised by viewers, though not without critique. While some admired the styling, others found details like pendant lighting “kindy art” and questioned whether the exposed fingerprint safe was secure. Their warm neutral palette was described as “beautiful” by supporters, but sceptics suggested much of the charm came from safe, beige styling rather than risk-taking.

The couple spent $15,074 and secured 29 points, winning by the narrowest of margins.

Sonny and Alicia

Tensions again ran high between Sonny and Alicia, whose disagreements carried through to reveal day. Their main bedroom featured custom wallpaper designed by Alicia, luxe carpets, timber veneer walls and velvet curtains. The gallery-like entry showcased works by Michelle Keighley, Natalie Uhrik and Kylie Daniel, while the space was tied together with Darren Palmer’s Moorland Fig Rug.

Initially, the judges were enthusiastic, with Darren praising their lighting plan as the best of the week. However, issues soon surfaced. Marty described parts of the room as having a “corporate” feel, while Shaynna noted missed opportunities to furnish the extra space. In the wardrobe, colour selections impressed, but questions were raised over practicality, with Shaynna puzzled by the placement of a make-up table in the darkest corner and Marty searching for additional drawers.

Online reactions to Sonny and Alicia’s room echoed the judges’ mixed reviews. Many viewers agreed the bedroom felt like wasted space, with comments about “so much dead space” and a “pokey wardrobe”. Others criticised the gallery wall and called the timber panelling “gross”. Still, a handful felt the criticisms were harsh, noting that despite flaws the room was far from a “disaster.”

The couple spent $19,172, scoring 21.5 points, and placing fourth.

Robby and Mat

Known for their bold scale, Robby and Mat delivered the largest walk-in wardrobe of the season so far, paired with an expansive Velux skylight and a textured feature wall. Their centrepiece, a four-poster bed from Timberwolf, was complemented by a sitting area with a Rug Addiction Svend Mocha rug and natural accents including al.ive body oils.

The judges admired the execution. Darren remarked, “This must have taken a very long time to get it this perfect.” Shaynna and Darren both loved the bed, though she noted it was slightly off-centre. Bromley artworks added visual interest, though some felt there were too many competing pieces.

Their wardrobe impressed with oak finishes and chocolate interiors, though the absence of features like a fireplace or an island left the judges wanting more.

The boys’ oversized layout struck audiences as both impressive and impractical. Their wardrobe was praised for natural light and storage, but some noted it lacked an island bench to make the space functional. The four-poster bed divided opinion, with one user pointing out that contestants in past seasons had been “slated” for the same choice. A few viewers dismissed the use of essential oils as gimmicky, while others admired the softer colour palette.

The team spent $17,933, scoring 25 points, and finished in third place.

Results

The judges’ combined scores placed Britt and Taz in first place with 29, followed by Emma and Ben on 28. Robby and Mat landed in third with 25, Sonny and Alicia fourth with 21.5, and Han and Can fifth on 20.

Verdict

The week confirmed Britt and Taz as a design force, while Emma and Ben continued their run of near-victories, a pattern that host Scott Cam described as the “bridesmaids” of the competition. For Han and Can, boldness didn’t pay off, while Sonny and Alicia were left reeling from feedback that their room lacked warmth.

The Block continues on Monday, August 25, at 7.00pm on Channel 9 and 9Now.

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