Property icks: The Block judges share their design pet peeves 

The theme for this year’s competition might be 1950s nostalgia, but The Block judges are looking for quality finishes and innovative design, as ever. 

With the exception of new judge Marty Fox, avid Blockheads might feel they have a pretty good understanding of what resonates with the judges after 10-plus years of critiquing as a trio. 

But what are the common design mistakes that make them go “ick”? And, in some cases, even make one of the judges gag?

Key kitchen icks

For many, the kitchen is the heart of the home and somewhere where connection reigns supreme. Stifling this central hub and prioritising aesthetics over function is something that Shaynna Blaze can’t stand.

“I think the biggest ick when I walk into a kitchen is the fact that you can’t congregate around the island bench,” she says. “It’s really important that you have the right space for people to sit, to cook, to talk. I think that a lot of people get too caught up on how it looks.” 

The configuration of an island bench can also be a sticking point for newcomer Marty Fox. This year’s contestants beware, as he “can’t stand a cooktop in the island – that really does my head in”  

Usability is key for Fox, and he can’t stand a wasted opportunity, such as installing a luxuriously proportioned island bench that you can’t put stools under. And anyone going for all marble extravagance and no functionality is risking the ick.

Prioritising appearance over functionality is something that also grinds Darren Palmer’s gears. “A butler’s pantry at the expense of the rest of the kitchen, I think, is a no-no,” the seasoned judge says. 

Biggest bedroom no-nos

The bedroom, possibly the most personal room of the house, is ripe for design missteps – some of which drive Palmer bananas. 

“Bedside [tables] that are too small drive me bananas; bedside lamps that are too small drive me bananas; lack of storage in bedsides drives me bananas,” he says, laughing.

The bedside is also an area of potential ick for Neale Whitaker, who can’t stand the absence of bedside tables or lighting. He also asserts that “a bed that’s too big or too small for the space” is a big no-no. 

For Blaze the biggest ick in the bedroom is clutter. She says, “I hate seeing mess everywhere because it means that you don’t have the right storage – because nothing is put away.”

Bathroom missteps

To cater to Palmer’s tastes in particular, one bathroom design choice that the contestants may want to consider leaving in the ’50s is adventurous flooring. “Something that gives me an ick in a bathroom – I’ve seen it with my own two eyes – is carpeted floors!” he says. 

Not even temporary textiles are safe from Palmer’s discerning eye. “Those grubby little mats that go around a toilet – that’s an ick.” The mere thought of them makes Palmer gag. 

Fox has an affinity for flooring, pointing out that what’s going on underneath is just as important as the material itself. One of his biggest icks is a lack of underfloor heating, “particularly living in Melbourne”.

Blaze again references functionality when naming her biggest bathroom ick: shower size. 

“I hate tiny showers,” she says. “There’s nothing worse than being in a shower and you’re sort of like squeezing in. If you’ve got the space, a big shower, please!”

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