The Block 2023: Backyard Reveal

It’s been a long road to get there, but after months of working inside their homes, it’s time for The Blockheads to head outside!

Their first challenge (now they have established just which space they’re working on, thanks Brett!) is their backyards, which for most means an army of landscapers working around pools, outdoor entertainment spaces and elaborate garden designs.

Each home has unique challenges and each team finds unique solutions, but with gardening guru Dave Franklin joining the judging panel, winning will be no easy job.

So, who will present the best back yard and take out the cash?

Steph and Gian

First place

38 points

With its roll down awnings creating a whole new room, Gian and Steph’s outdoor entertaining space is a game changer for the couple, the judges agreed.

And beyond, Dave said, was a garden that showcased the importance of zoning, with its BBQ area, a dining room, firepit and pizza kitchen plus a pool and sauna.

“It’s like a wellness retreat!” Shaynna decided.

Combining round steppers, volcanic rock, timber and glass, this is a garden that could help House 4 break records for the suburb, Marty added, rounding off the universal enthusiasm all judges felt.

Only the sloped concrete and a lack of heating let the space down, they and otherwise it was, Dave said: “An almost perfect back yard!”

With a wallet flush with cash from their many wins, Steph and Gian had enough budget to make every Blockheads dream backyard, full of lush green plants!

Dave Frankin said, this was a garden that showcased the importance of zoning, with its BBQ area, a dining room, firepit and pizza kitchen plus a pool and sauna.

Combining round steppers, volcanic rock, timber and glass, this is a garden that could help House 4 break records for the suburb, Marty added, rounding off the universal enthusiasm all judges felt.

"It's like a wellness retreated" Shaynna excitedly said. Fancy your own sauna... or other wellness equipment? shop them here at The Block Shop.

WOW! It's not often we are lost for words here, but honestly, the timber deck... the Plungie pool, the furniture from Block Shop suppliers, B2C Furniture , Kave home, and Huset Design Store it's exactly where we would rather be. Practically perfect!

Steph and Gian had me at the pool, but then out come the pizza oven, SIGN ME UP! I want to move in immediately!

Leah and Ash

Second place

37.5 points

“Zen, very zen”, declared Dave as he walked out of Leah and Ash’s home and straight into an outdoor entertainment area with architecturally-designed barbecue area and deck framed by an enormous tree and the studio from week one, all leading to a pool clad in tiles that took his breath away.

With space for kids to play, Shaynna said: "It feels like an adult space that is also very kid friendly," she said, pointing out there are five separate seating areas in the space for when the barbecue is in full swing.

Paired with the Knotwood cladding, porous concrete patio and huge Camerich daybed, it’s a space, the judges said, that delivers.

Alls well that ends well after a big emotional week for Leah in House 2  after the great Camerich debacle.

With space for kids to play, Shaynna said: "It feels like an adult space that is also very kid friendly," she said, pointing out there are five separate seating areas in the space for when the barbecue is in full swing.

Choosing a favourite picture of Leah and Ash's Plungie pool was harder than choosing a favourite child this week, that shape and thise tiles, yes please! If you need me I'll be sipping a drink in the Camerich daybed!

House 2 have really created an entertainers dream in their backyard, full of Steph's signature explosion of colour and fun!

Kyle and Leslie

Third place

33 points

With a massive shower head over the circular Plungie pool, Kyle and Leslie’s backyard certainly has the wow factor, Dave said, pointing out how the curves of the stepping stones and pool surround mirror the home’s interior in a well-planned way.

“This is a front cover!” Dave said when Marty brought up the inevitable sale brochure, noting the execution was spot on, with plants perfectly placed for now and when they grow and two separate seating areas.

Once again, the spacial planning let them down, Shaynna and Darren said, pointing to the pizza oven so close to the kitchen and issues around the veggie garden, but overall, it was “visually stunning”.

Kyle and Leslie were fortunate enough to have Love It landscaping this week, Block veteran landscapers who know the drill, they even know not to answer to the nosey neighbours.

Plungie Pools have done an AMAZING job this week, these pools are perfect for The Block and the fast turnaround time onsite, and well they look amazing! Read more about them here.

“This is a front cover!” Dave said when Marty brought up the inevitable sale brochure, noting the execution was spot on, with plants perfectly placed for now and when they grow and two separate seating areas.

Leslie and Kyle have created a beautiful house this season the only fault from the judges has been the functionality of rooms, but visually every room is perfect.

The decking looks back into their curvy living area, the judges noting the rounded stepping stones by the pool fit their curvy house beautifully.

Kristy and Brett

Fourth place

28 points

Using a design that gives two outdoor entertainment spaces, Marty declared Kristy and Brett’s backyard – at the front of their house – gives them a superpower!

But even with its easily-maintained pebble garden Webber barbecue area and porch space for watching to pool, Dave wasn't sold. “This does nothing for me,” he said, with a planting schedule that was “a dog’s breakfast!”

The sheer size of the pool won Marty and Darren back, but Shaynna agreed the hedge against the fence just looked “wrong” while the firepit seating was too tight. “And what’s with the fireplace tools?” she added. In all, they decided, much more was needed.

Using a design that gives two outdoor entertainment spaces, Marty declared Kristy and Brett’s backyard – at the front of their house – gives them a superpower!

The sheer size of the pool won Marty and Darren back from the other poor choices in the space.

Kristy and Brett's outdoor furniture was a vision that won the judges back when the planting failed them.

“This does nothing for me,” Dave said, with a planting schedule that was “a dog’s breakfast!” Ouch!

Eliza and Liberty

Fifth place

27 points

Battling budget and planning problems, Eliza and Liberty’s pared back garden design won first impression points for its festoon lighting, but that impression didn’t last.

The concrete was too much, Dave said, the potted jasmine too little and all agreed the sharp angular design just wasn’t inviting.

The firepit area, Dave pointed out, was too low to be comfortable and not deep enough to relax in, surrounded by rushed planting that just looked untidy.

Even the undercover barbecue area didn’t quite work, Marty said, feeling more like an echoing shed than a poolside retreat.

Perhaps some timber decking might help, they suggested, because as it was, something more was needed.

The girls paired back their bakyard this week due to budget issues, they enlisted a young landscaper and his apprentice but other than that the girls did everything with help from their incredible builder to save some much needed money.

The pared back garden design won first impression points for its festoon lighting, but that impression didn’t last, with the judge's.

Even with some incredible outdoor furniture the girls failed to make it all work together according to the judges. Shope the furniture here.

Even the undercover barbecue area didn’t quite work, Marty said, feeling more like an echoing shed than a poolside retreat.