The Block 2022: House decider challenge

House decider challenge – Bedroom challenge

It’s the biggest Block ever and with so much at stake the teams waste no time taking up Scotty’s first challenge – The House Decider.

Assigned a home in the order they arrived, but with the prize of being able to choose which of the five properties they’d like to keep as their own for this season, it’s game on with the Blockheads pulling out all their style and building tricks to win.

Will it be traditional Australiana that takes out the prize? Country with a touch of coastal? Or something unexpected that turns the judges head? 

All the teams really know is that this could set them up to win The Block so they jump right in!

Tom & Sarah Jane (first place)

From the inspired colour palette that draws on the autumn leaves outside to the modern take on traditional wainscotting and an original ceiling rose drawing the eye, Tom and Sarah-Jane’s decider room stopped the judges in their tracks. “Wow!” said Shaynna as she walked in, “this feels like a boutique hotel!” Darren wasn’t sold on the light fitting and thought the bedsides could have been a bit larger, but for Neal it was a room that just said “country” and he found himself taking notes on features he could use in his own home. And he can’t wait to see what they’ll bring next!

Winners are Grinners, first win of the season goes to Tom and Sarah-Jane.

For Neale it was a room that just said “country” and he found himself taking notes on features he could use in his own home.

Dylan & Jenny (second place)

VJ panelling with a sage green wall above, perfect execution and the addition of a wardrobe all ticked boxes for the judges as they took in Dylan and Jenny’s room… but the stying, they said, lets them down. “Elevate the drama and the grandeur!” Darren suggested, urging the pair to develop a look and feel that will really life their home. Neale agreed, pointing to the hanging plant that “lacked soul”. It’s a great room, Shaynna said, but it could be better if the pair took in some similar homes in the area to see how “country” can be done without sacrificing their modern feel.

The judges said the tradie couple , Dylan and Jenny had "perfect execution" 

Perfect execution and the addition of a wardrobe all ticked boxes for the judges as they took in Dylan and Jenny’s room.

Ankur & Sharon (third place)

If it’s country the judges wanted, it’s country they got with Ankur & Sharon’s room! “We’re in the barn, aren’t we!” Neale asked as they took in the recycled timber feature wall, exposed beams and original features that bring what Shaynna described as “seriously rustic… but done very well!”. A bit too rustic for Darren however, who loved the linen layers on the bed and the chair and cabinet but felt perhaps the room would be more at home in the wineries that dot the region, instead of a mulit-million-dollar home. It showed promise however and he can’t wait to see what’s next.

Sharon and Ankur take on country...

If it’s country the judges wanted, it’s country they got with Ankur & Sharon’s room!

Joel & Elle (fourth place)

A clash of styles greeted the judges as they entered Joel and Elle’s home, with minimalist design elements including timber floors, square-set ceilings and modern skirts all playing off a bright colour scheme to create a beautiful coastal room… sadly just a long way from the coast. “it feels a bit like home to me,” summed up Darren, “Because home for me is Bondi!”. Neale agreed, saying the room was “completely inappropriate for the area” but he was willing to put that aside. It might not be a “country” room, he said but it’s “completely on trend (and) a room people would fall over themselves to have.”

A very Bondi Chic room delivered from Joel and Elle.

It might not be a “country” room, Neale Whittaker said but it’s “completely on trend (and) a room people would fall over themselves to have.”

Oz & Omar (fifth place)

Another room influenced by the Scandi design ethic, Oz and Omar’s room showed a high attention to finish, the judges agreed, but missed the mark on fitting in to the country feel the region needs. And all agreed it was a room that played it safe… to the point of being generic. Darren loved the bed, the treatment on the walls and the high-standard of execution, but other elements left him flat. Shaynna agreed, saying she found the window frame a completely wrong note in a country room. “Why on earth would you put in a black aluminium window to a room like this?” she asked. 

Meet Omar and Oz, this loveable pair will keep you entertained this season.

Oz and Omar’s room showed a high attention to finish, the judges agreed, but missed the mark on fitting in to the country feel the region needs.

Keep up to date with all things 2022 The Block Tree Change here .