Week 1 Guest bedroom Reveal

As The Block returns for 2026, five new teams start with a guest bedroom, with the winners to choose the house they want to build. With 1000 sqm of their own Bunnings warehouse on hand for practical support, this is the start of a life-changing journey for them all.

Winner: Courtney and Sev, House 3 

“Now we’re talking,” said Judge Marty Fox on walking through the door of Courtney and Sev’s winning room. “Look at this!”

Best friends Courtney and Sev wowed the judges with a thoughtful, luxurious design for their guest bedroom, with key statement elements

Best friends from Brisbane, interior designer Sev and site manager Courtney created a luxurious space with an aesthetic they called “Peninsula modernism”. A big hit with the judges and winners of Week 1, the pared-back palette relied on form and texture to add interest. The ceiling featured an inlaid curved panel using floorboards, while Sev designed and built custom fabric headboard panels. On-trend micro-cement (a textured render) finishes were added to the wall, ceiling and wardrobe for a textural addition. A marble shelf topping the bedhead added a touch of luxury and personality, along with unevenly shaped sconce lights over the bedside tables. “These guys are thinking outside of the box,” said Shaynna approvingly. “This is so different from anything we have seen,” added guest judge Alice Stolz, who was impressed by the bravery of the design and the feeling of quiet luxury it encapsulated.

Not all products in these images were supplied by Bunnings. These images include various other brands and suppliers that provided product to The Block in 2026.

Design tip

It’s easy to change the appearance of most joinery, including wardrobes, for a quick update. There are many specialty finishes available that can go straight over the top of previously painted materials, while some will need to be primed first.

House 1: Adam and Jolene

“I think they have taken the brief of the natural and the neutral and elevated it,” said Judge Shaynna Blaze.

In a strong start, Adam and Jolene delivered an elegant, luxuriously appointed room that was flawlessly executed and won them second place. 

After a messy start when the couple started work on the wrong room, the SA duo got stuck into their first renovation with energy, Adam relishing his newfound skills installing the insulation. While the couple arrived without a fully defined style in mind for their home, they decided to lean into judge Darren Palmer’s quiet-luxury brief with a light, white palette and sumptuous fabrics. “It needs to be luxury,” explains Jolene, “in line with the market in Mt Eliza.”

Starting from a base of white walls (British Paints Dreamy White), Jolene’s design was all about layers of textural details, featuring a padded bedhead, neutral bedding, and twin travertine pendant lights and wall sconces. “This is nice and calm,” was the first comment from Shaynna Blaze, on entering the room, adding later that the couple’s execution was flawless.  Marty Fox agreed. “It’s got a really nice feel to it,” he said. An oak wardrobe with open shelving at one end added warmth. Luxurious details included brass light switches for subtle bling and aged bronze door handles throughout.

Not all products in these images were supplied by Bunnings. These images include various other brands and suppliers that provided product to The Block in 2026. 

Design tip

You don’t always have to opt for white light switches – consider installing brass, black or even coloured switch covers for a pop of colour or touch of luxury.

House 2: Chantel and Wyatt 

“We have something that feels quite luxe, that’s textured, that’s beautiful,” said judge Shaynna Blaze.

Chantel and Wyatt created what they are calling an “old luxury vibe” in their guest bedroom, opting for classical details to add character.

The Gold Coast couple are looking to create a timeless design for their house, starting with the first room, adding mouldings on the walls, classic skirting boards and a pared-back neutral colour palette (British Paints Love Note for the walls). A super plush carpet underfoot won praise from Marty Fox, who even took his shoes off during judging to feel the texture.

The old luxury theme included the wardrobe handles, which came in for much discussion during the week, with the couple finally opting for the bold statement of a gold finish, which reflected their aesthetic. The bed was accessorised with lots of cushions, Chantel’s favourite décor items, calling cushions “a warm hug”. “They have set up the bed beautifully, agreed Shaynna. “And it’s executed beautifully.”

Not all products in these images were supplied by Bunnings. These images include various other brands and suppliers that provided product to The Block in 2026.

Design tip

When used well, wall mouldings are a simple, yet elegant way to add character to a room. Paint them in the same shade as the wall for a subtle effect, or make a statement with a lighter shade to emphasise the detailing.

House 4: Lisa and Rosco

“You have got beautiful textures – I love the carpet,” says Judge Shaynna Blaze.

West Australian couple Lisa and Rosco created a layered textural design for their guest bedroom, with a soft muted palette and touches of warm timber.

Curves were the flavour of the week for married couple Lisa and Rosco, starting with a curvaceous chocolate suede bedhead. A custom-made egg-shaped niche with open shelving, reflected this softness, along with a textured feature wall and beige carpet. The cabinetry was made of oak inside and out, adding an elegant touch, while timber panelling opposite provided warmth and character to the room.

The WA couple were revealed as the budget superstars – an essential skill when undertaking building work. With a Google sheet of all expenses, each of them have visibility into their spending as both can upload invoice amounts as they come in. It’s work that paid off too, with Lisa and Rosco winning $10,000 for being closest to budget during the week, a mere $6 off their estimate.

Not all products in these images were supplied by Bunnings. These images include various other brands and suppliers that provided product to The Block in 2026.

Design tip

Textured wall finishes are making a comeback – and are an achievable D.I.Y. project. Start with a small space or a feature wall to get a handle on the technique and expand from there.

House 5: Rick and Tayla

  “I love the beautiful wardrobe – and the timber chosen,” said Judge Shaynna Blaze

Father and daughter duo Rick and Tayla created a white, light and bright guest room, with streamlined detailing.

Builder Rick and personal trainer daughter Tayla chose a minimalist theme for their guest bedroom, keeping it white, light and bright, as per the brief from judge Darren Palmer earlier in the week. A cocoon-like bed was the focal point of the room, framed by travertine sconce lighting, a neutral colour palette and a soft, curved swivel occasional chair. Details were subtle and elegant, with Rick choosing P50 skirting boards, which are concealed within the wall, leaving only a shadowline for a clean, modern appearance, matched by square-set ceilings. A ceiling fan offered a practical cooling option.

Unfortunately they didn’t finish their room, which ended up missing a couple of key decorative details, such as artwork and some bedding, which let them down when it came to judging. Marty praised the team’s carpet choice and elegant timber wardrobe, which Shaynna also loved, commenting that she loved the beautiful light timber chosen.

Not all products in these images were supplied by Bunnings. These images include various other brands and suppliers that provided product to The Block in 2026.

Design tip

Ceiling fans are an energy-efficient way of keeping a room cool during summer – and are especially great in bedrooms for night-time comfort.