Episode 21 Recap: A cash bonus, fiery arguments and game-changing critiques defined The Block’s living and dining week.


Robby and Mat cemented themselves as frontrunners, producing a polished and cohesive room that wowed the judges and secured them a hard-fought victory. (These images were originally published on nine.com.au/TheBlock.)Screenshot

The living and dining rooms were unveiled on Sunday night’s episode of The Block, with contestants under pressure to deliver in one of the most crucial parts of the home. These are the spaces where families gather, meals are shared, and first impressions are made. The judges reminded the teams that if these rooms miss the mark, it can set the wrong tone for the entire house.

The episode delivered everything viewers have come to expect — on-site drama, last-minute panic, tense judging, and a final twist that changed the leaderboard.

Saturday Site Drama

Tensions escalated early at House No.4, where Sonny and Alicia once again lived up to their nickname of hosting “Fight Night” every Saturday. The married couple from the Gold Coast argued heatedly as the clock ticked down, though, as has become their pattern, the dispute quickly blew over and they returned to working side by side.

For Han and Can in House No.2, the drama was more serious. Foreman Dan discovered them pouring leftover paint onto the ground in their yard rather than using the designated disposal areas. He warned the pair that this could contaminate the soil. Han denied the action, but when shown security camera footage, the evidence was clear. The moment left the sisters visibly embarrassed ahead of judging.

Meanwhile, Robby and Mat in House No.5 faced their first major Saturday hurdle. The pair were caught off guard by the strict rule that bans all power tool use after 3.30pm. The setback slowed their progress, but spirits were lifted when Robby’s partner Alyssa and their baby son Brooks visited the site. The emotional reunion gave the tradie duo fresh energy to push through to deadline.

A Twist Before Judging

As judging began, host Scotty Cam delivered an unexpected announcement: the Commonwealth Bank $10,000 prize would be awarded before any rooms were revealed. That honour went to Sonny and Alicia, who had managed to complete their space while staying $1 under budget.

The bonus provided a morale boost, though as judging unfolded it became clear the couple would need more than money to recover from design missteps.

House One – Emma & Ben

Spend: $22,269

The honeymoon phase ended for Emma and Ben. After several strong weeks, the pair delivered their first major disappointment.

The judges were initially impressed by the grandeur of the ceiling and the light from the Velux skylights. They admired several product choices, including the Airlie Slab 4 Seater Sofa, the Jackie Green Walk on the Wild Side artwork, and the Sienna brass nesting tables. The fireplace and earth-toned Bungalow Rug added warmth.

But the layout immediately drew criticism. The Freedom couch was positioned away from the view, the fireplace sat awkwardly “in no man’s land,” as Marty Fox described it, and the rustic dining bench felt mismatched with the otherwise elegant tone.

“The grandeur of the ceiling was great but that’s about it,” one judge said, summing up the overall underwhelming response.

Shaynna Blaze was the sharpest, describing the space as having “a lack of sophistication.” Darren questioned whether the cohesion with other rooms was making the design too predictable. Marty concluded bluntly: “Where’s the luxury?”

It was a difficult week for the couple, who finished in fourth place.

Score: 22 points – Fourth place

Emma and Ben’s living and dining reveal fell flat, with the judges criticising their layout choices and questioning whether the space delivered enough luxury to match their earlier success. (These images were originally published on nine.com.au/TheBlock.)

House Two – Han & Can

Spend: $32,412

After a fraught lead-up, the sisters delivered one of the night’s most striking rooms. Their space featured a Zepplyn modular sofa, Bonnie chairs, a Rose Moon coffee table, and the standout Christian Cole dining table with timber sphere legs.

The judges immediately praised the maturity of the room.

Darren Palmer relaxed into the seating and declared: “A room with a view.” He admired the curves, the pearlescent fireplace veneer with Dekton base, and the Raking Linen rug from his own collection.

Shaynna called the dining table “stunning” and was impressed by their growth: “It’s like they have grown up.” The inclusion of a lockable wine cabinet was noted as a smart move for potential holiday rentals.

The only critique was the placement of the table, which created minor flow issues, but the judges agreed this was easily fixed.

Score: 27.5 points – Third place

Han and Can impressed with one of the night’s most sophisticated rooms, earning praise for their bold dining table and refined finishes despite a lead-up marred by controversy. (These images were originally published on nine.com.au/TheBlock.)

House Three – Britt & Taz

Spend: $33,585

The West Australian police officers continued their strong run with a room described as elegant and well-suited to country living.

On entering, Darren described the space as “a lot”, but quickly praised the “stunning colour palette” and “amazing materiality.” He singled out the CSR stone fireplace surround, Beaumont heated tiles, and timber ceiling.

The centrepiece was another Christian Cole dining table, this time paired with Black Mango Anka Oak chairs. However, the judges questioned whether the large table compromised the walkway to the future kitchen.

Shaynna labelled the style “modern organic luxury” and was nearly ready to give a perfect score. Her only hesitation was the placement of the couch, which she believed should have been turned to embrace the view.

Darren called the look “very Daylesford, mid-century country,” confirming that the pair had captured the essence of the brief.

Score: 28.5 points – Second place

Britt and Taz continued their strong form, unveiling an elegant, country-inspired space that balanced warmth with modern design but left judges debating furniture placement. (These images were originally published on nine.com.au/TheBlock.)

House Four – Sonny & Alicia

Spend: $19,999

The Gold Coast couple faced their toughest week yet. Their design incorporated exposed beams and external brickwork brought indoors, with the intention of creating a rustic warmth.

But the judges were blunt. Marty said the 3m-long lounge area felt “apartment sized” and Darren criticised the placement of the fireplace, saying it was beautiful but “in the wrong place.”

There was praise for the artwork, particularly the Vanessa Ashcroft Bush Serenade canvas, and for the Rug Addiction Dropletts Handmade rug, but the layout was considered a failure. Darren summarised the problem: “The furniture was perfect, but not for this space.”

Shaynna warned that the couple would need to completely salvage the room before auction with new furniture choices.

Score: 20.5–21 points – Fifth place

Sonny and Alicia struggled through living and dining week, with their rustic approach failing to land and the judges warning that major changes would be needed before auction. (These images were originally published on nine.com.au/TheBlock.)

House Five – Robby & Mat

Spend: $21,225

The tradie pair saved the best for last, producing a room that left the judges full of praise.

From the Sorrento modular sofa to the Osteria fabric occasional chairs, every element felt resolved. Shaynna was “immediately in love” with the styling, saying it was professional and sophisticated.

Darren called the design “Daylesford, where people come to stay,” praising the VJ panelling, tiled fireplace, and flooring. Marty was equally enthusiastic, declaring: “This is exactly hitting the brief.”

The only flaw noted was some unfinished caulking, which stopped Shaynna short of awarding a perfect 10. Even so, the pair’s consistent execution left all three judges convinced buyers would fall in love with the space.

Their use of the bonus gnome ensured they pipped Britt and Taz to claim victory.

Score: 28.5–29.5 points – First place

Robby and Mat cemented themselves as frontrunners, producing a polished and cohesive room that wowed the judges and secured them a hard-fought victory. (These images were originally published on nine.com.au/TheBlock.)

Final Scores

Robby & Mat – 28.5–29.5 (First place, with bonus gnome)
Britt & Taz – 28.5 (Second place)
Han & Can – 27.5 (Third place)
Emma & Ben – 22 (Fourth place)
Sonny & Alicia – 20.5–21 (Fifth place)

Looking Ahead

The episode ended with Robby and Mat cementing themselves as frontrunners, Britt and Taz again close behind, and Han and Can proving they are serious competitors. Emma and Ben now face the challenge of regaining form, while Sonny and Alicia must rethink their approach if they hope to avoid costly mistakes at auction.

The focus now shifts to kitchens, where flow and functionality will determine if these living and dining designs truly succeed.