5 of the best kitchens ever seen on The Block

Exceptional design is rarely loud; high-end materials and finishes whisper brilliance, and this is especially true when it comes to the kitchen.

“The Australian kitchen has transitioned from merely functional in the early noughties to the sophisticated home hubs they are today,” says former The Block judge Neale Whitaker. “What we demand from kitchens has changed enormously in the last 20 years, and the ones on the show have always been a great barometer of what’s trending and what the market needs.”

With countless kitchens to choose from, we asked the judges for their favourites over the past two decades.

Harry and Tash (2020)

Melbourne father-and-daughter duo Harry and Tash created a cook’s paradise with a four-metre long island bench, crisp cabinetry with continuous black channel handles, Caesarstone benchtops and a butler’s pantry.

“They were lucky to have a great space to build a massive kitchen, and the positioning looking out to the north-facing courtyard and historic elm tree was magical,” says judge Marty Fox. 

Seasons down the track, is there anything Fox would change? “It annoyed me a bit that the cabinetry didn’t go to the ceiling above the ovens and pantry,” he muses. “Apart from that, I feel it will age well and not look out of date in five to eight years.”

Andy and Deb (2019)

A fresh take on a classic kitchen, Whitaker says Andy and Deb’s timeless space remains a true standout for him. 

“They effortlessly made their all-white kitchen feel luxurious, desirable, contemporary and classic,” he says. “They captured the prevailing design mood with a beautifully nuanced, neutral kitchen that felt modern and traditional.”

The winning couple filled their space with white shaker-look cabinetry accessorised with brushed gold hardware, Caesarstone benchtops and Bosch appliances.

“It’s the perfect combination of aesthetics and functionality,” Whitaker says. “It was beautifully styled and very much the beating heart of the home.” 

Dan and Carleen (2016)

“With the simplicity of the palette, continuation of the cabinetry into the butler’s pantry and the innovate simplicity of its design, this kitchen was both of and ahead of its time,” muses judge Darren Palmer. 

One of the largest kitchens seen on The Block at the time, the couple installed generous cabinetry in a timber-look finish that ran all the way through to a butler’s pantry. More joinery was integrated into the Caesarstone-topped island bench.

“It worked then, and it works now,” Palmer says. “Everything about this kitchen has stood the test of time except the pendant and the stools.”

Kerrie and Spence (2018)

For co-host Shelley Craft, the sheer sophistication of Kerrie and Spence’s kitchen is what she loved the most, from the moody colour palette and lighting to the sizeable butler’s pantry. 

Working with the challenge of a low roof height, Craft says the couple managed to create a fabulous and memorable space, earning a perfect score from the judges. 

“It was the first time we had seen a hot plate with a built-in range hood, and that was a standout,” she recalls. “We loved the elevated appliance package, the sink wasn’t in the middle of the island bench, and take a look at that incredible statement fridge and freezer! Why blend in and integrate when you can stand out?” 

Omar and Oz (2022)

“The kitchen is one of the hardest rooms to select as each year the materials introduced enhance quality and personality, and the technology and appliances take it to a whole new level of luxury,” says judge Shaynna Blaze. 

She describes Omar and Oz’s kitchen as “the entertainer’s paradise”.

“The layout was perfect, and it didn’t rely on the butler’s pantry to make the kitchen functional,” she says. “The incredible luxury of a $250k upgrade of appliances tipped its luxe level!” 

Blaze says the space’s simplicity makes it a standout. “It had a full north face with a beautiful outlook and a play on light through the curtains, so the gift they got was the positioning of the space and the upgrade of appliances,” she says. “Some guys get all the luck!”

The latest from The Block

Check out exclusive content weekly, including floor plans, expert renovation advice and property insights.

Explore the In The Know Hub