Mitch and Mark call out the biggest design sins on The Block 2026

It’s been five years since Mitch and Mark returned to The Block, taking out the title and $744,444.44 for their Hampton home. We’ve often wondered whether past contestants tune in to new seasons of The Block — and, if they do, whether they’re yelling at the TV in frustration or finding inspiration. For Mitch and Mark, it’s more the former.

Loud, fun, full of joy, and never ones to shy away from dishing their two cents, the pair are certified renovation experts with 25 in 25 years under their belts, including a glamorous Newport home and their latest, a penthouse in Brighton Le Sands. So, when they revealed what they really think about this year’s homes on The Block, we were all ears.

Listen to Mitch and Mark on The Edit podcast.

Filmed in Mount Eliza, this year’s season of the show was all about coastal luxury and, according to Darren Palmer, “light white and bright” interiors. Contestants mostly interpreted this through the use of sandy neutrals, plenty of texture, and subtle tonal shifts inspired by nature. It wrapped up with a stunning win from Courtney and Sev, who took home a record-breaking $1.87m. Despite this, the season was not without its critics, with “50 Shades of Beige” and “Just so bland” among the comments from viewers on Instagram. As it so happens, Mitch and Mark are also among its critics.

While the pair admit they didn’t watch the season in its entirity, they were quick to point out the flaws in the parts they did tune into. “One thing I have seen that I don’t like [is] these bathrooms that they’re now doing where they do a little skirting tile, and they paint the walls,” says Mark.

“It’s good for time and money. But in these properties on The Block, they want multimillion-dollar properties. So why are they doing it? I don’t understand why they’re doing it.”
Mark McKie, former contestant on The Block

When you have a *Block*-sized budget, tiling little sections, rather than the whole bathroom, is a big no-no. *(Credit: Channel Nine)*

The apparently unnecessary multitude of curves — and subsequent lack of storage — was also called into question. “There’s a lot of curves for the sake of curves nowadays,” Mitch reflected. “If the curve is there because you just go, ‘Oh, curves are in,’ don’t do it…every time you do a curve, you’re losing space,” agreed Mark.

Mark also made remarks made about the controversial fabric bedhead in Courtney and Sev’s house (“my brain just went dust and dirt”). “If you’re doing that ’cause you wanna show off your handicraft…,” Mark began, “You know, go bedazzle something else.”

“I haven’t seen anything that I have copied or wanted to be inspired by…I’m sorry.”
Mark McKie, former contestant on The Block

The controversial bedhead in question. (Credit: Channel Nine)

Eek! Firm but fair. In their defence, the pair did offer extremely valuable constructive criticism: design for yourself. That is, don’t get caught up in trends. Invest well in furniture, because you’ll take it with you from house to house, and save on things that tend to date, like cushions, vases, and throws. And, above all, make your home a home. Find your style through personal experiences like travel — “You just draw bits and pieces from everywhere and then work out what will work,” says Mitch, adding that they’re taking inspiration from the Greek islands, but making it suitable for their Australian home.

Consider how you’ll use the spaces now and in the future, and use that knowledge to decide on practical elements like powerpoint location and skylights. For Mitch and Mark, it’s all about functionality from an entertaining point of view. “We do entertain quite a lot. We love having people at home,” says Mark.

Pull from your wardrobe; look at texture and colour, and seek out the work of designers. Going old-school and making scrapbooks of what you like, instead of copying just one example, can help you find your unique style and create authenticity. “It’s not about the size of the house or about how flash your house is, [it’s] about how you make your home a welcoming place for everyone,” says Mitch.

“It may not be the most glamorous, but if you walk into a home where somebody’s really put their heart and soul into it, you always feel that it’s got their version of beauty.”
Mitch Edwards, former contestant on The Block

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Writer Lucy Lindfield Writer

Lucy Lindfield has a long-standing love affair with homes that began with a childhood spent picking out the nicest house on each street from the back of her parents' 2000s Subaru. Years later, after completing both a Diploma of Interior Design at Design Centre Enmore and a Bachelor of Media at Macquarie University, she dipped her toe into PR at a bespoke firm specialising in architecture, then went on to produce social media and editorial content at a Sydney agency before settling right at home in…homes. Following a brief stint with Better Homes and Gardens, Lucy has spent several years writing under Homes To Love and managing the digital presence of Inside Out, Real Living and Country Style. It’s here that she can combine her great loves every day: design, architecture, lifestyle, homes, and, of course, words. In her free time, she finds her dream home over and over on real estate websites and spends far too long browsing Facebook Marketplace for mid-century furniture.