The Block continues to throw challenges at our teams, and Office & Rumpus Week was no exception. It’s the week where we saw tears, confusion, and a whole lot of debate about what to do with these multifunctional spaces. Some contestants thrived, while others struggled to find a clear vision. Let’s dive into what each house delivered and how the judges – Shaynna Blaze, Darren Palmer, and Marty Fox – felt about these dynamic spaces.  

House 1: Jesse and Paige 

This week was an emotional rollercoaster for Maddie and Charlotte. But despite the overwhelming workload, the duo came up with a secret master plan – transforming the mezzanine level into a guest retreat with a separate exit, aiming to provide guests with ultimate privacy and a peaceful space to unwind. 


Charlotte couldn’t have been prouder of the final result. “The chill, cosy, calm feeling – I feel like it ties into the rest of the house,” she explained. And the judges were immediately impressed. Shaynna Blaze, walking up the stairs, was blown away. "Wowee," she exclaimed, clearly moved by the elegant transformation. But what really wowed her? The lighting. 


For Shaynna, Maddie & Charlotte were the first to truly nail their lighting plan. "This is the very first time someone finally got the lighting right," she announced. The use of both wall sconces and under-cabinet LEDs created a warm, intimate atmosphere perfect for a retreat. Shaynna pointed out the up-lighting sconces and the LEDs subtly placed underneath the entertainment cabinet. “This is an intimate space; it’s not meant to be blaring,” she said, commending the layered lighting choices. Marty echoed her sentiments, adding that designing a mezzanine isn’t easy, but they’d nailed it. 

Get the look

Maddie & Charlotte took home the win for their stunning guest retreat and rumpus room, and it's easy to see why. Their thoughtful lighting choices added layers of warmth and character, while maintaining functionality. They used the Arial wall sconce in white, a standout piece that cast a soft, inviting glow throughout the space. This sconce added subtle elegance while perfectly complementing the coastal theme with its clean, minimalistic design. Paired with the sleek City III gimble downlights, Maddie & Charlotte struck a harmonious balance between functional task lighting and ambient mood lighting, creating a space that transitions seamlessly from relaxation to work. 


Styling tip: In your own space, use layered lighting to create a similar effect. Combine sconces for ambient warmth with downlights for functional brightness. This approach ensures your room feels cosy yet practical, especially in multipurpose areas like a rumpus or guest room.

House 2: Courtney and Grant

Courtney and Grant had a challenging week. While they managed to pull off a superbly crafted office space, the initial reaction from the judges wasn’t exactly glowing. Marty couldn’t help but feel like he had walked into a therapy session or business centre, noting that the starkness of the room felt out of place compared to the rest of the home. "It's the loudest room in the house, yet it's set up to be the most private and quiet," he said, clearly puzzled. 


However, despite the questionable layout, Darren admired the superb execution and attention to detail. The craftsmanship, particularly the LED-lit shelving and curved entry, earned Courtney and Grant points for precision and quality. 

Get the look

Courtney & Grant’s rumpus room was warm and elegant, thanks in no small part to their sophisticated lighting choices. They introduced the Santonio table lamp, with its natural linen shade, bringing an earthy yet refined element to the space. This lamp became a key styling feature, blending rustic charm with sleek modern design. The team also chose Amore wall sconces, which enhanced the soft glow of the room with their natural linen shades and timeless aesthetic. These lighting elements together created a room that was as stylish as it was practical, offering a blend of comfort and elegance perfect for any rumpus room. 


Styling tip: To elevate a rumpus or living area, use LED lighting to highlight shelving or artwork, creating layers of light and interest in the room.

House 3: Ricky and Haydn

Ricky and Haydn decided to throw tradition out the window this week, ditching the typical office setup in favour of a fun, family-oriented games room. As Haydn joked, “Office in the bin!” The boys believed this was their best room yet, and the judges seemed to agree. 


Walking in, the judges were immediately hit with the coastal vibe that Ricky and Haydn have consistently delivered throughout their home. Marty was quick to praise them for sticking with the theme, describing it as the ultimate "fun house" and predicting that this would be the space that kids would beg their parents to choose. 

Get the look

Ricky & Haydn embraced a relaxed, coastal aesthetic, and their lighting choices reflected this effortlessly. The MFL Gypsum wall light, with its ribbed white design, was a subtle yet sophisticated addition, casting a soft, ambient light that worked beautifully with the beachy vibe of the room. Above, the sleek Bridge LED pendant in stone added a modern industrial touch, tying the whole look together.  


Styling tip: Don’t be afraid to have fun with lighting! Use statement pieces like ribbed wall sconces to add personality to a space.

House 4: Kylie and Brad

After a big win last week, Kylie and Brad hit a creative block (no pun intended) during Office & Rumpus Week. Unsure about the direction for their spaces, they eventually decided to stick with the brief and build an office and rumpus room. 


While Brad loved the leather couch and Kylie admired the personal black-and-white photo wall, the judges were less impressed. Marty expressed confusion about the placement of the couch against the glass balustrade, while Shaynna criticised the desk setup, feeling it lacked thought. 

Get the look

Despite the judges' mixed feedback, Kylie & Brad delivered a space with bold tones and striking lighting. The Jones wall sconce in black brought a modern, edgy feel to the room, with its sleek lines and minimalist design enhancing the space’s contemporary aesthetic. Plus, the Emmerson LED floor lamp in black provided functional lighting without sacrificing style, making it a versatile piece perfect for both the office and rumpus room.  


Styling tip: When designing an office space, balance comfort and function by using modern lighting solutions like sconces to keep the space sleek yet practical. 

House 5: Kristian and Mimi

Kristian and Mimi faced a tough week, struggling with the logistics of delivering two separate spaces on different levels of the house. Ultimately, they made the tough call to focus on just one – their rumpus room, strategically moving it downstairs to double as a pool retreat. 


However, the judges weren’t entirely convinced. Marty compared the room to a dentist’s waiting room, finding it cold and clinical despite its intention to be a poolside lounge. 

Get the look

Kristian & Mimi stayed true to their coastal theme, and their choice of lighting reflected the relaxed, beachy vibe they were aiming for. The Whitehaven DC ceiling fan in white was a sleek, understated choice, keeping the space cool while adding to the room's minimalist aesthetic.  


Styling tip: For a coastal look, combine pops of blue with natural materials and use a fan that blends seamlessly into the decor for a fresh, breezy atmosphere.  

This week on The Block was all about balancing work and play, and let’s be honest – who wouldn’t want a room that can do both? From cosy guest retreats to epic games rooms, the teams showed us that multifunctional spaces don’t have to be boring.