EXCLUSIVE: Across 20 seasons and counting, The Block judges Shaynna Blaze, Darren Palmer and Marty Fox continue to be surprised, for better or worse.

From millenial grey to curves, the trio have seen all the design trends but there are some they’d rather never see again.
Judges Marty Fox, Shaynna Blaze and Darren Palmer. (Nine)
So which interior choices do the judges absolutely loathe? Below, they share their take on the five biggest trends as seen on The Block.

They reveal which trends they absolutely love and which trends they hope to never see again (we’re looking at you, bouclé).

1. Colour drenching

Emma and Ben’s ensuite was inspired by the rich colours of Daylesford. (Nine)
During Week 3 on The Block, House 1 delivered a main ensuite that sure packed punch.

With a maroon tile palette that extended to the feature curved wall, wallpaper and hand towels, the couple took colour drenching to the next level.

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“Colour drenching or colour saturation is putting the same colour everywhere,” Emma explained.

“It can look quite full on and I think it can only work in specific rooms.”

During walkarounds, host Shelley Craft suggested they colour the ceiling too.

“If you’re colour drenching, I reckon colour drench,” she said. In other words, go big or go home!

In Pictures

Need inspo? The biggest tile and design trends taking over The Block 2025
Including one bold trend that spectacularly backfired.
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Speaking to 9Entertainment before the Room Reveals, the judges agreed colour-drenching, if done right, was a trend they were happy to see!

“I do love colour drenching and curated maximalism for this location,” Darren told 9Entertainment of the Daylesford location this year.

2. Bouclé

Bouclé has had it’s moment, but is it over? (Nine)
With colour drenching a big hit in 2025, bouclé is one trend that can be left in 2023, according to the experts.

Outside the runway, bouclé found its way into our homes, every single department store and all throughout the Block’s 19th season.

“Let’s move forward from the bouclé,” said Darren.

It’s clear some Block viewers had also seen enough bouclé in their lifetime.

“Anytime I’ve seen someone with boucléfurniture or cushions it’s gone gross and bally very quickly!” they wrote.
Has bouclé lost its touch? (Nine)
While it certainly does work in cases, as Block 2023 winners Steph and Gian prove with their signature Japandi style, perhaps the bouclé is now not as high-end and luxurious as it once seemed?

3. Beige

On that note, beige is another trend that while it’s almost defined a generation (millennial beige, according to Gen Z) may be on its way out.
When beige meets bouclé on The Block. (Nine)
Instead, make way for “personality and individuality” said Shaynna.

“I feel this is the first year in a very long time that the trend is not about ‘one look and one feel’,” she explained.

“We have been caught up in the last five years of beige, beige and beige but now we are bursting with texture, rich colour palettes and no sitting on the fence of it has to be white or grey based.”
Han and Can add a burst of colour to The Block 2025. (Nine)
Marty agreed, saying the design trends he’s absolutely loving are “Colour and earthy tones”.

4. Arches

On top of bouclé, another design trend Darren wants to move forward from is arches.
The judges advice: Don’t force an arch where it doesn’t need to be. (Nine)
When Han and Can delivered their first (incomplete) bathroom complete with an arched hidden door, the feature didn’t make sense to the judges.

“It should be squared off,” said Marty. “On a flat roof house, first of all it doesn’t match.”

As a running design them, the real estate expert said it going to add so much unnecessary time.

“It’s a waste of money and it doesn’t look right. It’s really too much,” he warned.

Shaynna agreed.

“Arches when they have no reason to be an arch,” is a trend she’s happy to retire.

” If the home is relating to a period style of some sort that is perfect, but an archway for an archway’s sake is done.”

5. Vertical towel rails

This could be the ultimate sin to commit on The Block. (Nine)
This year, the Blockheads quickly learned one of the biggest design sins you can commit: vertical towel rails.

We know Shaynna loathes them but it was Marty who said they officially need to go.

“I don’t want to see this whole series, where we are talking again about out a towel hanging over a hook,” said Shaynna sternly during Week 1’s reveals.

No one needs a damp towel in 2025, bring on proper drying rails!