After weeks of creating luxurious living spaces, kitchens and entertaining areas, the contestants on The Block Season 22 were back to the bedrooms for Week 9. But this time, they had two challenges to tackle: a kids’ bedroom and a redo of one of their previous rooms that hadn’t impressed the judges.
With the auction getting closer, the teams had to consider what potential buyers would actually want to see in their homes. There was also a major opportunity to boost their budgets, with 100 potential buyers and buyers’ advocates touring the houses for the Domain Buyers’ Jury Challenge.
Between the design decisions, disagreements between the contestants and some very different judging results, Week 9 delivered plenty of drama.
And once again, Courtney & Sev came out on top with a perfect 30/30!
A New Challenge: Kids’ Bedroom Week
The brief this week was to create a kids’ bedroom that felt fun, functional and in keeping with the overall design of each home.
After spending weeks creating sophisticated, adult-focused spaces, the contestants had to think about how families might use their homes. Storage, practicality and thoughtful design were particularly important, but the judges also wanted to see personality and creativity.
However, not every team embraced the brief.
Some contestants took advice from their real estate agents and opted for rooms that could appeal to a wider range of buyers, rather than committing to a traditional children’s bedroom. While the intention was to make the rooms more versatile, the judges weren’t always convinced.
It became one of the biggest talking points of the week, with the judges questioning whether some teams had missed the point entirely.
The Domain Buyers’ Jury Challenge
One of the biggest developments of Week 9 was the Domain Buyers’ Jury Challenge, which gave 100 potential buyers and buyers’ advocates the opportunity to walk through the five homes and share their opinions.
For the first time, the contestants were receiving feedback from people who could potentially be buying the homes, rather than just the regular judging panel.
With the auction approaching, this was a particularly important opportunity to understand which properties were making the strongest impression.
And the results were certainly interesting.
Adam & Jolene took out the challenge, earning an extra $50,000 for their build. It was a huge boost for the couple, especially with the costs of landscaping and the remaining outdoor spaces still to come.
For Courtney & Sev, the results were less encouraging. Despite their strong run of room reveal wins, the girls received just 13% of the buyers’ jury vote, finishing last in the challenge.
It was a reminder that winning over the judges doesn’t necessarily mean winning over potential buyers. With different people looking for different things in a home, the teams need to balance their design vision with broader market appeal.
The Redo Challenge Returns
Alongside the kids’ bedrooms, each team had to revisit one of their earlier rooms that had received criticism from the judges.
It was an opportunity to fix layout issues, improve styling and show that they had listened to the feedback throughout the competition.
However, with budgets already stretched, the teams had to decide where their money would make the biggest difference.
Some made noticeable improvements, while others struggled to move away from their original design choices.
The redo rooms also created an unexpected talking point when Courtney & Sev’s updated living and dining space featured several design elements similar to Adam & Jolene’s room. This included a similar fireplace, bronze mirror and Christian Cole furniture.
The similarities did not go unnoticed, particularly given the tension between the teams following the previous week’s judging.
Adam & Jolene: A Missed Opportunity?
After winning the Domain Buyers’ Jury Challenge and securing an extra $50,000, Adam & Jolene entered reveal day in a strong position.
However, their kids’ bedroom was a different story.
Instead of creating a traditional children’s room, the couple opted for another guest-style bedroom, complete with gym equipment. They explained that they wanted to appeal to a broader range of buyers rather than focus specifically on families with young children.
Unfortunately, the judges weren’t impressed.
They questioned the lack of suitable wardrobe storage, the curved wall that reduced the usable space and the overall purpose of the room. The judges felt the team had missed the brief and failed to create a room that added enough value to the house.
Their redo room was also criticised for not changing enough. Adam & Jolene revisited their original guest bedroom from Week 1, adding bedside tables, changing the pendant lights and updating the artwork and soft furnishings.
While the changes made the room feel slightly more finished, the judges wanted to see a more significant transformation.
They finished the week with 21.5/30.
Despite the disappointing room reveal, the additional $50,000 from the Buyers’ Jury Challenge was a major positive for the couple as they prepare for the final stages of the competition.
Chantel & Wyatt: Playing It Safe Doesn’t Pay Off
Chantel & Wyatt also struggled with the kids’ bedroom brief.
The couple opted for a more versatile room aimed at an older child, but the judges felt the design lacked cohesion and personality.
They questioned the combination of timber tones, wall colours and wardrobe finishes, describing the room as forgettable. The team had hoped to create something that would appeal to a broad range of buyers, but the judges felt it missed the mark.
Their redo room was their living and dining space, which had previously been criticised for its layout and failure to make the most of the bay views.
Unfortunately, the judges felt the team hadn’t addressed the main problem. While they introduced a little more colour, they kept the overall layout largely the same.
It was another frustrating result for the judges, who had repeatedly encouraged the couple to rethink their design decisions.
Chantel & Wyatt finished last on 17.5/30, although they did receive the $10,000 CommBank Better Budgeting Award.
Lisa & Rosco: A Room Full of Personality
Lisa & Rosco delivered one of the standout kids’ bedrooms of the week.
Their room featured a colourful design, thoughtful storage and an adorable reading nook, creating a space that felt genuinely designed for children.
The judges loved the use of colour and the Australiana-inspired wallpaper in the reading area. The layout and lighting also received praise, with the room bringing a welcome sense of warmth and personality to the house.
Their redo room was the guest suite they had completed earlier in the competition. This time, they changed the wallpaper, introduced more cohesive textures and updated the bed to better suit the proportions of the room.
The improvements made a noticeable difference, with the judges praising the more luxurious result.
However, one unfinished detail proved costly: some of the skirting boards in the kids’ bedroom hadn’t been painted.
The judges were extremely positive about the room, but they felt that the missed finishing detail prevented it from receiving an even higher score.
Lisa & Rosco finished in second place with 29/30, narrowly missing out on the win.
Courtney & Sev: Another Perfect Score!
After a challenging Buyers’ Jury result, Courtney & Sev were determined to make an impression at the room reveal.
And the girls certainly delivered.
Their kids’ bedroom featured a custom-made wavy bedhead, pastel Grafico wallpaper, soft carpeting, light timber joinery and teal-painted walls. The design was colourful and playful while still feeling polished and thoughtfully considered.
The judges loved the attention to detail, from the custom joinery through to the quality of the painting and the overall execution.
It was one of the first rooms this season where the judges felt colour had been used so successfully, and they were impressed by how well all the elements worked together.
Their redo room was their living and dining space. The girls introduced additional styling, improved the layout and added a marble inset to the fireplace, creating a more cohesive and luxurious result.
The updated room received particularly positive feedback, with the judges praising the overall look and functionality.
The result? A perfect 30/30!
Courtney & Sev won the room reveal and collected $50,000 in total prize money: $10,000 from Chery, $10,000 from Domain and another $30,000 for receiving three perfect 10s.
After finishing last in the Buyers’ Jury Challenge, it was an impressive comeback for the girls.
Rick & Tayla: A Mixed Result
Rick & Tayla took a different approach to the kids’ bedroom, designing a room aimed at an older child or tween.
The room featured linen Grafico wallpaper with a large botanical motif, along with architectural details that gave the space a more mature feel.
The judges acknowledged the thought that had gone into the construction and design, but some of the styling choices didn’t quite work. They questioned the combination of lamps and pendant lights, as well as several decorative elements.
Their redo room was their living and dining area, which had previously been criticised for its awkward layout and large, empty space.
This time, they moved the sofa and introduced a new colour, making the space feel more inviting. The judges agreed that the room was an improvement, although they still had concerns about the fireplace and some of the styling.
Rick & Tayla finished on 21.5/30, tying with Adam & Jolene for third place.
It was a mixed result, but the improved living area showed that taking feedback on board can make a real difference.
The Week 9 Scoreboard
Here is how the teams finished during Kids’ Bedroom and Redo Week:
- Courtney & Sev - 30/30
- Lisa & Rosco - 29/30
- Adam & Jolene - 21.5/30
- Rick & Tayla - 21.5/30
- Chantel & Wyatt - 17.5/30
Courtney & Sev secured their fifth room reveal win of Season 22, while Lisa & Rosco came remarkably close with 29/30. Adam & Jolene and Rick & Tayla tied for third, and Chantel & Wyatt finished last.
My Week 9 Thoughts
This was such an interesting week because it showed just how different the judges’ priorities can be from those of potential buyers.
I was surprised by the Buyers’ Jury results, particularly seeing Courtney & Sev finish last after their strong run of room reveal wins. It just goes to show that while a room might impress the judges, the ultimate goal is to create a home that appeals to people who could actually buy it.
As for the kids’ bedrooms, I really enjoyed seeing the teams bring more colour and personality into their designs. Lisa & Rosco’s room was a standout for me, and I loved the little reading nook. It felt warm, thoughtful and genuinely suited to a family.
And, of course, I’m still backing Courtney & Sev! Their perfect 30/30 was so well deserved. I loved how they embraced the brief and created a room that felt playful without compromising on quality or design.
I also think the redo challenge was a really important reminder that listening to feedback matters. The teams that made meaningful changes to their previous rooms were rewarded, while those that stuck too closely to their original designs struggled to impress.
With the auction getting closer, every decision matters. The teams need to create homes that look beautiful, function well and appeal to a wide range of buyers.
The Stratco Big Shed
The Stratco Big Shed continues to be part of the Season 22 build as the contestants work through the final stages of their homes.
With the focus now shifting from interior rooms towards the outdoor areas, the scale of the project is becoming even more apparent. Having a central space for tools, equipment and materials remains an important part of managing a build of this size.
It’s been great seeing the Big Shed feature throughout the competition, and I’ll be keeping an eye out for it as the teams move into the next major challenge.
What’s Next?
Week 9 marked the final interior room reveals of The Block Season 22. From here, the contestants are moving outdoors to tackle their terraces and pools.
This is a huge stage of the competition, with outdoor entertaining areas playing an important role in the overall appeal of the homes.
The teams are also facing increasing budget pressure, with landscaping, pools and outdoor finishes still to complete. Adam & Jolene’s $50,000 Buyers’ Jury win will certainly help, but the remaining work will require careful planning across all five houses.
For Courtney & Sev, the challenge will be maintaining their momentum while convincing potential buyers that their home is the one to beat.
With the final weeks approaching, I’m excited to see how the outdoor spaces come together - and whether the girls can secure another win!
Stay tuned for next week’s recap as we follow the teams into Outdoor Terrace and Pool Week on The Block Season 22.