The Block's best dining rooms in 20 seasons

The space where you gather with family or sit for a delicious meal should be more than just a table and chairs.

Over the past 20 years, The Block has shown us the importance of a thoughtfully designed and curated dining space. We look back at some of the best in show. 

Eliza and Liberty (Hampton East, 2023)

With clever planning, an open kitchen, living and dining space can be demarcated into distinct and special zones without sacrificing that luxurious feeling of spaciousness. In crafting their dining space, Eliza and Liberty used an abstract art piece, a floor rug, and simple furnishings to achieve just that.  

“The position of this room is perfect, allowing for enough separation from the main kitchen and living space but close enough that you won’t feel like you’re living in Victorian times and you need staff to ferry meals back and forth,” says Domain national property editor Alice Stolz. “The natural light and the softly rounded rectangular table allow the space to be used for meals or an overflow area for people in the house who need a bit of peace to knock off some work or get cracking on a huge puzzle.”

For judge Darren Palmer, the duo’s sense of scale, proportion and composition was a winning trifecta. “Eliza and Liberty created a beautiful dining room that was simple, elegant, well-proportioned and had the right-scale table and number of chairs for a large family home,” he says.  “The art was a central element, but the timber cabinet under the window, the rug and the chairs all worked simply with the dining table and the rest of the home.”

Harry and Tash (Brighton, 2020)

Creating an intimate space in a large room requires restraint. Melbourne father-and-daughter Harry and Tash accomplished this brilliantly in their light-filled dining area, earning top honours from the judges impressed by their level of sophistication and feeling of spaciousness. “Walking through a massive hallway, the wide dining table creates an elongation of the space,” said Palmer at the time. “It’s remarkable how big it feels!”

Current judge Marty Fox says the space was well received by the judges at the time, and he was most impressed by the space’s view of a beautiful Elm tree. Sheer floor-to-ceiling curtains created an airy backdrop, while a vast, soaring light well illuminated the area, bringing it to life with a sense of openness and tranquillity. Using an understated and sensitive approach, the pair made a statement from every angle, from the gentle curves of the round-edged furniture to the varied textural palette seen through their selection of beautiful soft furnishings. 

Steph and Gian (Hampton East, 2023)

Steph and Gian, the winners of The Block 2023, boldly placed the dining room where the original kitchen was planned, separating the two spaces with a tall niche bench and integrated double-sided fireplace that stepped down to the living room. 

The Japandi-influenced space was bathed in a creamy palette punctuated with a trio of fabric ceiling pendants, elegantly scalloped dining chairs, and large minimal artworks. While thoughtfully curated, judge Shaynna Blaze felt at the time it was slightly over-styled, but overall, the judges deemed the calm, organic space a huge success. “The room was an intimate space on its own,” recalls Blaze, “They created a real restaurant dining experience with the double fireplace, the lighting and the divine artwork.”

Courtney and Hans (The Gatwick, 2018)

“Despite what some felt at the time, I think this dining area is a ripper,”  Stolz says. “You feel like you are in a rather swish gallery, surrounded by gorgeous art, original art deco features, and multiple windows that capture life outside.”

A vast walnut dining table dominated the vast space, its rich parquetry finish complementing the plush emerald-green velvet chairs and striking abstract artwork. A pair of long-armed ceiling lights added a sense of theatrics to the space that received high praise from the judges. Five years later, it remains as stylish and relevant as ever.  “A big, long dining table promises many future birthdays and Christmas lunches – time spent with cherished family and friends,” Stolz says. “That’s what a dining space should evoke.”

Ronnie and Georgia (Hampton, 2021)

Sophistication, elegance and warmth were at the heart of the aesthetic of Ronnie and Georgia’s dining space. “I know that is a tricky one to understand, but even though it was sophisticated in its execution, it had a real sense of cosiness about it,” Blaze says.

The couple addressed the space’s low ceilings using sheer curtains and fluted wall panelling that caught and reflected light, adding depth and design detail to the space. Additionally, they added a stylish corner minibar, lush green dining chairs, and a linear dining table to achieve a contemporary and glamorous vibe. “By keeping the colour palette simple and creating a ‘nook’ with the bar, it gave it intimacy rather than being pokey,” Blaze says. 

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