The Block 2021: Backyard and Pool Reveal

With the biggest budget and the biggest spaces, Backyard Week turned into a battle for the contestants.

From pools, entertainment areas, a forest of trees, lawn (some real, some artificial) and much, much more going on.

Tempers flared and accusations flew with a Body Corporate to decide if anyone was breaking the rules, but in the end, everyone was forced to admit, the results were worth it!

The Block 2021: Backyard and Pool Recap

Kirsty & Jesse

Score: 28 ½/30

Spent: $86,411

First Place

They pulled it off! Congratulations to Kirsty and Jesse on taking out backyard week. 

The biggest space by far – more than twice the size of some of their competitors – was always going to give Kirsty and Jesse the biggest challenges, but as the judges saw when they arrived, they were certainly up to the task. Standing on the enclosed pavilion area complete with dining table, wood-fired barbecue, fridge and pizza oven to look out over the huge yard with arbour, limestone seating area and generous (biggest of The Block) pool, Neale’s reaction said it all: “This is insane!”.  Featuring established Dragon Trees, a secluded side garden with tiled Grafico mural and to cap it all a chook shed, this will be, the judges agree, an agent’s delight to sell.

Kirsty and Jesse have the biggest pool on The Block.

The enclosed pavilion area is complete with a dining table, wood-fired barbecue, fridge and pizza oven!

To cap it all off they even included a chook shed, this will be an agent’s delight to sell.

View Kirsty and Jesse's beautiful backyard and shop all their stunning outdoor furniture online HERE.

Josh & Luke

Score: 28/30

Spent: $53,538

Joint Second Place

Josh and Luke should be proud of their achievements this week creating an amazing backyard.

An “almost Japanese simplicity” awaited the judges in Josh and Luke’s backyard, with a long pool featuring arching fountains surrounded by Outdure decking, a Venetian plaster feature wall, barbecue and dining area and “sculptural, sophisticated” Dragon trees all combining to create what Darren happily called: “The crescendo to the house” and the perfect outlook to the controversial flipped master wing. Shaynna added her cheers at the perfect planting, perfect lighting and just around the corner, the biggest fire pit so far and even a kennel, complete with puppy inside!

We love Josh and Luke's long pool featuring arching fountains surrounded by Outdure decking.

Darren happily called Josh and Luke's backyard “the crescendo to the house” and the perfect outlook to the controversial flipped master wing.


Shaynna Blaze loved the twins fire pit area with gorgeous planting and perfect lighting.


Josh and Luke even included a modern kennel made by a social enterprise company focused on providing employment and training opportunities for people with disabilities.


View Josh and Luke's incredible pool and Bronte Court backyard in detail HERE.


Ronnie & Georgia

Score: 28/30

Spent: $76,033

Joint Second Place

Ronnie and Georgia succeed in bringing the style from the inside of the home to the outside.

Like the house it is attached to, Ronnie and Georgia’s back yard is white, light and bright, bringing the style of the inside to the world. From the PGH brick wall overlooking the pool, to the adjacent outdoor dining area boasting a barbecue near the kitchen servery and separate kids/pets play area with low-maintenance artificial turf, this is a yard with distinct zones, each planned and executed well. Mature trees and the washed wall make this a space that looks like it’s been there forever, Shaynna said with Neale summing up it’s a stunning and saleable space that’s “slick, sophisticated and low-key”. 

Ronnie and Georgia’s backyard boasting a barbecue near the kitchen servery.

Ronnie and Georgia’s outdoor furniture is neutral and light matching their interior decor perfectly.
The kids/pet play zone with low-maintenance artificial turf is executed well.

Shaynna said with Neale summing up it’s a stunning and saleable space that’s “slick, sophisticated and low-key”. 

View Ronnie and Georgia's completed backyard and shop all the stunning pieces and outdoor furniture online HERE.



Mark & Mitch

Score: 28/30

Spent: $46,425

Joint Second Place

Mitch and Mark have created a tropical oasis!

Mitch and Mark’s love of Palm Springs was obvious to Neale from the moment he walked into their back yard, with its huge overlooking tree a feature saved from the original garden. The judges were quick to embrace the wide spaces that had been enclosed by the pool surround fencing, including the poolside cabana complete with fridge, barbecue and alfresco dining area. Tucked out of site was the clothesline and services, making this a “perfect backyard resort!” Darren said with one minor point to consider - will there be somewhere for kids to play?

Mitch and Mark have created a “perfect backyard resort!” Darren Palmer said.


Mitch and Mark's poolside cabana is complete with a fridge, barbecue and alfresco dining area.


Mitch and Mark included an easy to manage raised gardening bed.


The judges were quick to embrace the wide spaces that had been enclosed by the pool surround fencing,


View Mitch and Mark's backyard and pool space and shop all the stunning outdoor furniture and styling items HERE.

Tanya & Vito

Score: 22 ½ /30

Spent: $45,005

Last Place

Tanya and Vito created a functional backyard and pool area but the judges felt it lacked personality.

A sweeping Merbau deck leading to the enclosed pool with an adjacent barbecue and dining area, Tanya and Vito’s backyard showed a usable, functional space open to interpretation but underwhelmed the judges. “Where’s the personality?” asked Shaynna as she looked over a large expanse that seemed “undercooked”. Using the extra two-metres gained by moving the original house forward, the pair had created a large grassed area with a clothesline to service the rear-opening but left few obvious areas for a family to play.

Tanya and Vito's deck leading to the enclosed pool with an adjacent barbecue and dining area.


Tanya and Vito’s backyard showed a usable, functional space linking nicely to the kitchen and dining area inside their home.


Tanya and Vito's clothesline area to service the rear-opening but they left few obvious areas for a family to play.

Take a close look and shop Tanya and Vito's beautiful backyard and pool area online HERE

Catch up on everything The Block 2021 HERE