Week 5 Living, Dining and Alfresco reveal

The Block’s living, dining and outdoor terrace reveal delivered spectacular views from all houses. This was a high-pressure week because all of the teams were told that the views would sell their houses – and these are the rooms that needed to capture them.

Winner: Adam and Jolene, House 1

“I think that the luxury of having this many people sitting and dining is great,” said Judge Darren Palmer. “Scale is luxury.”

SA couple Adam and Jolene spent up big to create a winning living space that celebrated the sweeping ocean and city views

Located on the first floor, the living, dining and alfresco area of House 1 included both city and water views, so Adam and Jolene were keen to capitalise on the outlook, spending big to create a winning room.

“It’s our time to shine,” said Jolene during the week as she created a design planned to “bring the outside in” with an oversized comfy couch, wood fireplace and a huge floor-to-ceiling mirror reflecting their views.

“The sense of space here is phenomenal,” said Shaynna Blaze. “We have this massive mirror – I can see the trees and the beach straight through there.”

The judges loved the custom-made 10-seater dining table, fireplace, warm styling, stone detailing and authentic connection to the location.

“I love seeing the storms,” added Shaynna, who enjoyed the warmth provided by the fireplace on the cold and rainy day of judging. “This fire is so beautiful and produces this beautiful soft heat.”

She also loved the elevated colour palette, which she felt was a step up from previous rooms.

Marty Fox said that the warm timber tones, particularly through the table added warmth. Darren questioned the dining table orientation, and felt the terrace needed a bigger couch and ideally a barbecue, but added that the room felt meticulously planned and emotionally inviting. 

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

A well-placed mirror can make a room feel larger and help to bounce light around a space.

House 2: Chantel and Wyatt

“I have to say, that is a beautiful table,” said Judge Shaynna Blaze about the outdoor dining table. 

Chantel and Wyatt created a light, white, and bright living and dining room that reflected their classic palette and minimalistic style.

Chantel and Wyatt continued with their soft beige palette for their living and dining space, creating an elegant hub that contained layers of textures for interest. It was all about minimalism, in order to focus on the view.

The Gold Coast couple have proved themselves to be the master project managers, picking up the $10,000 budget award consistently and delivering a completed space on time every week.

Curves featured strongly in their finished room, with a curved off-white sofa, rounded occasional chairs matched with an oval dining table and upholstered chairs. A rounded collection of coffee tables was the finishing touch. All furniture was muted in hues, which was designed to complement the strong tones of the yet-to-be-seen kitchen at the end of the room.

An electric fireplace was positioned under a wall-mounted television for practicality.

Outside, the oval terrace table was praised, but the judges felt it was a little under-dressed.

  

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

Curved furniture is having its moment and it’s one to embrace, especially in regard to furniture – no sharp edges and it helps to create the feeling of spaciousness.

House 3: Lisa and Rosco 

“I love this room,” said Judge Marty Fox. “And I think buyers will love it too.”

WA couple Lisa and Rosco created a multi-layered space that allowed for both informal and formal entertaining.

Lisa and Rosco perfected their interior palette with their living and dining area. Dark chocolate-toned occasional chairs and floor rug added just the right amount of colour when layered on top of a softly toned oak timber floor, and were complemented by a walnut sideboard.

“It just brings that softness and energy that this space deserves,” said Shaynna Blaze, who loved the wall colour (British Paints Pathways, a soft neutral “greige”), which she said brought the softness and the energy the room deserves.

Lisa worked hard all week trouble-shooting to make sure the fireplace was installed and this worked in her favour. Shaynna said she loved the fireplace. “I love the shape; I think it’s beautiful.”

Outside, the terrace impressed with well-considered cooking, lounge and dining zones. Marty called it the best they had seen (“this is what they have to do”, he said), while Darren questioned whether enough seating addressed the outlook. 

“I literally cannot fault it,” said Marty Fox.

 

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

An outdoor terrace is the perfect opportunity to capitalise on the indoor/outdoor living that Australians love so much. A built-in barbecue can provide a second cooking zone and informal gathering space.

House 4: Courtney and Sev

“That art is fantastic – the lamp, the side tables, the chairs, the sofa, everything I see is really successful,” said Judge Darren Palmer.

Courtney and Sev’s budget-friendly living and dining room won praise for its functionality and thoughtful colour palette.

Best friends Courtney and Sev delivered an elegant and curated living/dining space, while still adhering to a tight budget after over-spending on previous rooms. They opted for simple open shelving on either side of the wall-mounted television, which provided the opportunity to showcase work by local artisans.

A chocolate velvet sofa provided ample seating, complemented by two occasional chairs and an armchair in creamy tones. The dining table was highly praised, especially for its placement and the three pendant lights overhead.

The Brisbane girls’ terrace was the day’s most successful outdoor layout, with the judges compelled to sit and take in the treetop outlook from the outdoor sofa, positioned perfectly. “We are in the treetops here and you really do see a lot of that view,” said Marty Fox approvingly.

Darren Palmer agreed. “I can’t fault Courtney and Sev’s decision-making in terms of their style,” he said. “It’s great. The layout out here is the most successful we have seen today.”

 

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

Open shelving is a budget-friendly way of adding personality to a room, when filled with curated design objects or family photos, that can be updated over the years and through the seasons.

House 5: Rick and Tayla

“There’s a lot to love,” said Judge Darren Palmer.

It was a tough week for father and daughter duo Rick and Tayla, with Rick hampered by injury, but they created a strong living/dining space and a spectacular terrace.

The designer half of the Victorian duo, Tayla, chose some strong and popular pieces for the father and daughter’s living and dining space, including a generously sized velvet green sofa and a striking fireplace nestled in custom-designed cabinetry, which were appreciated by the judges.

A large floor rug anchored the space, positioned above pale herringbone timber flooring.

“The thought process of the elements that are going to work in here is perfection,” said Shaynna Blaze. “I think having a beautiful fireplace as a feature, having the cabinetry, the floating shelves, and having that beautiful pendant arrangement above the dining table is stunning.”

Outside on the terrace, the judges loved the number of amenities provided by Rick and Tayla, noting that it would be a popular entertaining space.

The couple added in a large L-shaped bar with barbecue and slushie/margarita machine (which Darren Palmer loved, calling it “cool”), although all three recommended that Tayla and Rick consider upsizing their dining table, especially after seeing the bar and the possibilities it provided.

Marty approved of the terrace inclusions as a clear point of difference. “From an amenity perspective, it does hit harder,” he said.

 

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 choosing floor rugs it’s important to make sure they are sized large enough to cover most of the room – and have the furniture overlap it for the best fit.