Week 8 Rumpus and Laundry reveal

It was a big week at The Block, with the teams tackling a high-stress community challenge to provide crisis accommodation, as well as finishing two important spaces – the rumpus and laundry. Tensions flared, but work was done.

Winner: Courtney and Sev, House 4

“Wow. This has impact,” said Shaynna Blaze on entering the rumpus.”

Courtney and Sev’s winning rumpus and laundry used clever tricks and subtle design effects to elevate the rooms and make them seem more spacious.

Best friends Courtney and Sev’s rumpus room was a master in planning, featuring a bar and a coffee zone on one wall, complemented by split lounges, and a beautifully styled coffee table. It even included a tiny dishwasher for added convenience.

The pièce de la résistance was the custom-made TV unit, which included open shelves on either side and hid the monitor and sound bar behind sliding doors. The unit was made of light oak timber to match the bar area.

“I am in love with this room,” said Darren Palmer. “I am so besotted with every single decision. This is hands-down my favourite room on The Block so far.”

An inset ceiling included acoustic panels, to moderate sound and help create the theatre-style effect the girls were after.

The simple and elegant laundry used the same colour palette and oak cabinetry as the kitchen and butler’s pantry, for consistency. “This has all the amenity you would need,” said Marty Fox.

“It is a simple palette, it is beautifully laid-out and it has high function,” said Darren. 

  

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

 

Design tip

While a television is an important part of a rumpus room, it doesn’t have to be the focus when it’s not in use. Use joinery to disguise the unit, or even hide it from view.

 

House 1: Adam and Jolene

“It’s a feast of texture,” said Darren Palmer.

Adam and Jolene’s rumpus room and laundry impressed the judges with their layered textures, thoughtful functionality and cohesive design.

Adam and Jolene created a comfortable haven in their rumpus room, with the showstopper a full-length wallpaper mural of a local beachside bay, using a photograph taken by a local photographer. A generous wraparound sofa faced the TV, which was offset by extensive storage on all sides.

The judges praised the consistency shown throughout the home, with the textured feature wall in the rumpus room continuing a design element first introduced in the living room and main bedroom.

“One of the best things they did was to do that early on and continue that through the whole house,” said Darren Palmer appreciatively.

Shaynna Blaze loved the practicality of the kitchenette, which included a sink, bar fridge and coffee machine. “That’s what you want down here,” she said.

“It’s a lovely play of textures and colours and I find it really pleasing,” added Darren.

The well-designed laundry featured a broom cupboard, ample storage, a stacked washing machine and dryer, and a full-length drying cabinet. All three judges praised the space, describing it as both highly functional and beautifully designed.

 

 

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

 

Design tip

Save space by stacking your washing machine and dryer – this works best if they are both the same brand and you use a special stacking kit to support them.

 

House 2: Chantel and Wyatt

“The TV unit looks great – and I really like the sofa choice,” said Darren Palmer. 

Chantel and Wyatt delivered a rumpus and laundry that paid homage to their classic pared-back style.

The Gold Coast couple has still to win a room, but remain committed to their pared-back palette and classic detailing, believing it will help to sell the house and present well to buyers.

Chantel and Wyatt chose a curvaceous group of seating options for their rumpus room, with a generous sofa and matching armchair in their favourite beige shades, topped off by a selection of cushions in chocolate shades. Darren Palmer called the sofa elegant and felt it complemented the generous floor rug underfoot. A floor lamp in the corner added ambient lighting for subtle glamour.

Custom cabinetry around the television echoed the same curved wall design as their upstairs living room, with bookshelves each side, an element all judges felt worked well.

In the laundry, the couple kept to their minimalistic aesthetic, using the same large format tiles used elsewhere in the house, including the same stone splashback they featured in the kitchen.

“This is a textbook laundry,” said Marty Fox, who felt it was well-planned and practical. Darren Palmer agreed.“It’s a very functional space and aesthetically it presents beautifully,” he said. .

  

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

Design tip

As well as being streamlined and elegant, large-format tiles are easier to keep clean because there is less grout.

 

House 3: Lisa and Rosco 

“I really like the kitchenette area with the archway,” said Marty Fox.

WA couple Lisa and Rosco continued with the successful dark cabinetry featured in the kitchen to deliver a warm and cosy rumpus room.

Lisa and Rosco embraced dark cabinetry and a curved velvet sofa in a chocolate tone to create a warm and welcoming rumpus room. Walnut cabinets along one side of the room included a well-planned kitchenette to service the room with sink and wine storage. This custom-made solution included an on-trend arch with open shelves for glassware and coffee facilities.

“It’s a really inviting, luscious colour palette throughout the house,” said Darren Palmer. “I love the browns; I love the natural stone on top of that. I think it’s exactly right.”

Shaynna called the design elegant and sophisticated. 

Marty Fox felt the design was super family-friendly and would complement the pool area yet to come. “It’s a really nice casual way to live, he said.

The same joinery was extended into the laundry, winning approval from the judges who especially loved the robotic vacuum cleaner that the couple included.

“We wanted to create a laundry harmonious with the rest of the wet areas in the house,” explained Lisa.

Marty Fox said he loved the richness of the colour palette – “the stone, the copper, the sink,  the open shelves, the storage”, he said. “It literally has everything.” 

 

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

Design tip

Arches are having their moment, design wise. They are easy to install into cabinets as a feature and soften spaces with their curves.

House 5: Rick and Tayla

“The joinery is beautiful – they have put a lot of effort into the design and the materials,” said Darren Palmer.

Rick and Tayla’s laundry won over the judges with their selection of elegant joinery and clever layout.

Father and daughter team Rick and Tayla created a cosy rumpus, complete with all the modern amenities that a busy family might need.

Tayla’s favourite colour (green) was included throughout the rumpus room. A huge sofa in a soft sage green velvet grounded the room, matched by a side table in green marble. Curves were everywhere – in the sofa, the coffee table, and two occasional chairs nearby. There was even a rounded shape in the built-in bar area.

The bar was a hit with the judges, who appreciated the open shelves and fridge, as well as the sink nearby. A low bench with extra storage was positioned under the large TV as a practical inclusion.

The pale herringbone oak flooring offered continuity with the rest of the rooms completed – and a point of difference from the other houses – while a huge round mirror reflected the beach views. Acoustic panelling on the walls will help to elevate the sound, especially on family movie nights.

The laundry, featuring blond oak cabinets, was a huge success with the judges. Shaynna Blaze appreciated the position of the washer and dryer, installed side-by-side but at waist-height for ease of use.

“It’s perfect,” said Marty Fox. “It’s a great laundry.” 

 

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

Design tip

To help create an acoustically sound room, consider using acoustic panels on the walls and/or the ceiling, especially if you have a new build, when it is most cost-effective.