The Block 2023 Bathrooms Reveal: Moss Mess, #ToiletGate, and More

The Block 2023 bathrooms reveal was a doozie, and we have so much to talk about. From #ToiletGate to tile terrors, that moss wall and so much more… there’s a lot to wade through.

It will come as no surprise that I don’t agree with the scoreboard this week. Though you might not agree with my ranking either, truth be told. Don’t worry though, I’ll explain everything behind my decision making. I always bring receipts.

This is how I would have scored the teams this week:

Scroll on as we get into the honest critiques of The Block 2023 bathrooms reveal below.

Leah and Ash Came First

This is another room reveal where I must ask: has the world gone mad or have I? Do I need to crack out the Bex? How did nobody point out how unsuccessful a match the two tiles were in this winning bathroom?

They’re more ill-suited than Kelis and Bill Murray. They clash more than Britney Spears and all the other Spears’. They fight one another like they’re on a Real Housewives reunion. If you haven’t guessed by now, I think the two tile styles don’t work together.

Outside of that, I’m still not on the same page as the judges. At the risk of losing any and all potential future work with the suppliers of any of these products, I have to sit in my truth and admit that this bathroom feels a little… dated.

It’s Nice, I’ve Just Seen It Before

That’s the thing about this space. It’s The Block 2023, and yet I feel transported to a Block bathroom of season’s past. The black vanity, the shaving cabinet, the herringbone tiles; all divine products, but together like this… I’ve seen it many times before.

A lot of work and money has gone into it, but it’s not delivering anything innovative. I’m not getting inspired by anything. I’m not buying this house feeling like I get to use and experience THAT Block bathroom of 2023, know what I mean? It’s not one for the history books.

Let me know if you loved this room from Leah and Ash, but I sense many of you will feel the same way I do: it’s not a bad space. Nobody could call it a bad space. But I’m not creaming my jeans over it like I’m Kel Knight and it’s Kath Day in a Coogee knit and cappuccino capris.

Kristy and Brett Came Second

I declared their office the winner of last week’s work from home reveals. And I almost declared them robbed of the win again this week. A worthy second placer in my eyes, and so close to taking out first.

There are a few tweaks I’d like to make, but I want to appreciate the positives first, because there are tonnes. The mirror above the vanity I’m bonkers for. The shower screen is epic. The floor tiles are next level. And the venetian plaster works wonderfully here (unlike in a darker studio bathroom we shall not mention from a few reveals back).

From a materials and palette perspective they’ve nailed it. No notes. There is one main change I would like to propose (which they won’t do), with a minor change I’d also recommend (which they also won’t do)…

Two Changes I Would Make to Kristy and Brett’s Bathroom

You’ll see it in the image above; the way the vanity and tiling stops sharply where the window begins. It’s a weird visual for me, the way the black square of the window sits beside the rectangular nature of the vanity. It’s breaking the otherwise harmonious feel in this space.

I would be inclined to extend the vanity along under the window, carrying the tiling along too so it runs above the vanity and below the window. It would resolve the space. As it stands it’s a little odd to have this section of room dedicated to nothing.

The minor addition I’d like to include is art for the wall between the toilet and vanity. Something nature inspired could be nice here, but it’s not make or break.

Kyle and Leslie Came Third

I don’t know, you guys; I’m just not as wowed by this bathroom as the judges were. I feel somewhat indifferent about it, like it’s a Conrad Sewell song; sure some work has gone into it but I’m not particularly moved either way.

Let’s start with the positives. The palette is rather soft and soothing, which I appreciate in a bathroom. The curves are also quite successful; particularly the stone windowsill, which is a nice touch in a space where you can’t pack too many attention-grabbing touches in.

The artwork I don’t mind, although sadly between filming and the episode going to air I feel like I’ve seen this art style done so much it’s already on the way out. But each to their own.

I’m Going to Call Out the Lack of Storage

I have to ask the obvious question: where is the toot roll going? The mirror has no storage behind it. There’s no vanity with drawers. There’s no ledge in this space apart from the windowsill. So… where is the toot roll going?

I have to assume we’re going to have guests screaming out for toilet paper mid-expression-session during a dinner party. Nobody wants to see their friends in this scenario. I draw the line at throwing a roll of Cottonelle into the powder room while a friend is mid-grunt. It’s a hard no.

It’s for this reason I have to conclude that the vanity was the wrong choice. A floating unit would have been more successful here. The high-mounted soap dispenser also looks odd, while the tiles up the toilet end, installed to that height, feel a little claustrophobic.

Steph and Gian Tied for Last

Steph and Gian should have won this week. Nothing will change my mind. All too often it’s easier to reward more points to a team with a larger space because they have the ability pack more perceived ‘wow’ into the room. But I’m just looking at what’s in front of me, and this space is stunning.

Don’t get me wrong, there are things I would amend. But really, have you seen anything like this on The Block before? I haven’t. I can’t tell you how refreshing it is to see something unique revealed on this show. And yet they tied for last because of a toilet?

This bathroom, like the rest of the home’s design, is anemic. There’s an iron deficiency that no steak will cure. But I’m not angry about it. In fact, I love it. Be the anemic Block house of 2023! From the floor tiles to the vanity, the window treatment to the styling – I want it all.

Let’s Talk About the Toilet Placement

We have to get past the false narrative that a toilet is just so, so hideous that it must be hidden behind seven locked trapdoors, down a spiral staircase, in a dark corner where Sloth from Goonies lives. Bathrooms have toilets. It’s OK if you walk down a hallway and see a toilet. It will not give you night terrors.

Rooms are also spaces you move inside and then around, and it’s OK to unveil design moments the more you walk through the area. The reveal of the vanity once you’re in the space is rather charming. That’s the whole point of a minimal bathroom like this; it’s not trying to catch your attention with bells, whistles or questionable tile combos.

The only thing I would change is the tapware colour and mirror. A brushed chrome would be my preferred material. And the juju hat, I cannot. I wrote about them 11 years ago when I started this blog. Like Kerry-Anne Kennerly, it’s time for the juju hat to retire.

Eliza and Liberty Tied for Last

The only type of moss I’ll accept in my life right now is Ron Moss. If he reprises his role as Ridge on The Bold and The Beautiful I sincerely believe the world will achieve equilibrium again. Outside of ol’ Ronny boy, I don’t wish to see moss on my screens or in my bathroom.

If we take that away, this bathroom is pretty good. Yep, you read right: it’s a nice bathroom. I’m actually going to take it further: I think it’s better than Leah and Ash’s. It’s somewhat generic, sure, but the worst element (that moss) can be corrected far easier than the tile clash in Leah and Ash’s space can.

It’s A Little Dated, But It’s By No Means Bad

I think Eliza and Liberty share the same problem that Leah and Ash do, in that both bathrooms feel like something we’ve seen before. Design deja vu, if you will. That’s why I vote Steph and Gian the winners; we got something new there.

The other thing I’d like to say is that we need to calm down on the kit kat tiles. We’re overdosing on kit kats this season like we’re Augustus Glump about to get sucked up Willy Wonka’s choccy river pipes.

What a week! What a recap! The Block bathroom reveals have exhausted me, gang. Time for a lay down, and to mentally prepare for what’s to come next week when the living dining rooms are unveiled. I’ve seen the preview, and I’m scared!

What did you make of The Block 2023 bathrooms reveal? Drop a comment below and share your thoughts.

Images by David Cook Photography, courtesy of The Block Shop. For more info on The Block 2023 bathrooms reveal, check out NineNow.