The Best-Ever ‘Rock the Block’ Designs

We've seen four seasons of Rock the Block sweat, tears and jaw-dropping transformations, so it's only fitting to celebrate each and every winning room. We compiled the best (read: award-winning) before-and-afters since Season 1.

Updated on April 14, 2023

By: Lauren Oster

Show: Rock the Block

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Ready to Be Wowed? C'mon In!

Rock the Block has more in common with Ironman Triathlons than typical makeover shows. In mere weeks, contestants are given supersized budgets and tasked with reimagining entire blank-canvas homes from the ground up. This is renovation as an extreme sport. As season-three champ Egypt Sherrod advises future competitors, “You're working so hard that you have to stay healthy and hydrated. Also, come in knowing that this will be the hardest you've ever worked in your life.” So, what does it take to secure a Rock the Block win? Have a look at every jaw-dropping before-and-after that’s taken top honors.

From: Keith Bynum and Evan Thomas

Season 1: Leanne's Bedroom Suite

For the first-ever Rock the Block challenge in Santa Clarita, California, queen of cool Leanne Ford (Restored by the Fords) planned to devote a significant portion of her total $175,000 renovation budget to blasting through the wall dividing this bedroom from its bath suite and creating a serene, integrated retreat. The elegant finished space oozes minimalist California chic. She framed the new passage between the bedroom and bathroom with gorgeously weathered barn doors, then centered a tub and two-walled shower in the new spa suite. Cool concrete flooring and a sculptural nightstand lend the feel of a contemporary art gallery.

TOUR THE HOME: Leanne Ford's House Reveal

Season 1: Alison's Kitchen

Alison Victoria (Windy City Rehab) was made for the second week of Season 1 competition: She’s renovated more than 140 kitchens and knew this one would be the star of her home. She hit the ground running with a plan to create a space “dripping in luxury.” Mission accomplished. The showstopping, waterfall-edge quartz island features practical adds like a microwave drawer and porcelain sink. It also boasts a gorgeous layer of brass Alison carried through the custom hood and the floating shelves. Shaker-style cabinets with luxe hardware frame a stone-slab backsplash and a commercial-grade stove, and a pair of stately globe pendants add a focal point.

TOUR THE HOME: Alison Victoria's House Reveal

From: Alison Victoria

Season 1: Jasmine's Great Room and Yard

Jasmine Roth (Help! I Wrecked My House) knows a thing or two about making epic alterations to cookie-cutter southern California homes. She planned the ultimate upgrade for her home’s main space: Blow out the back wall and add an in-ground pool, a move that would cost her $30,000. A win made it worth it, of course. Crowned with a sculptural chandelier, this custom vaulted ceiling is a power move. Massive glass stacking doors facilitate indoor-outdoor living and frame the hillside pool, outdoor bar and sitting area out back. When the sun goes down and it’s time to towel off and come in, an elegant electric fireplace offers a cozy gathering spot.

TOUR THE HOME: Jasmine Roth's House Reveal

From: Jasmine Roth

Season 1: Jasmine's Exterior

Jasmine knew curb appeal would influence every opinion the judges formed about her ranch-style house after entering, so she envisioned upgrades that would differentiate it from the rest of the development and add character that improved over time. Handsome stone skirting offers an elevated, organic look, while a coat of creamy white paint brightens the home’s face and pops against stained wood on the garage door and shutters. The new framed walkway has a feathery grass border that will add movement to the front yard as it grows, and new, double-headed sconces on the garage gleam like bits of statement jewelry. It’s the perfect introduction to the family headquarters Jasmine designed — and it led to a final appraisal of more than $1 million and bragging rights as the first-ever Rock the Block champ.

VOTE: Pick Your Favorite Before-and-After Makeover From Rock the Block Season 1

From: Jasmine Roth

Season 2: Alison and Mike's Kitchen

For Rock the Block’s second season, Alison Victoria returned to compete and dominate the kitchen challenge once more. Partnered with renovation phenom Mike Holmes (Holmes on Homes), they decided to infuse their Paulding County, Georgia, property with Old World style by including details to develop the space’s character. Architectural adds would create texture and custom cabinetry would have the look of antique furniture. A handsome arch in weathered brick forms a shroud to conceal the vent above the range, and glass-paneled cabinetry is now embedded in the wall. Exposed beams draw the eye upward, making the kitchen and dining area feel even more expansive. Customized storage in the island is both beautiful and functional. The $48,000 Mike and Alison spent to reimagine this kitchen was very well spent.

TOUR THE HOME: Alison Victoria and Mike Holmes' House Reveal

From: Alison Victoria

Season 2: David and Tiffany's Entry

David Bromstad (My Lottery Dream Home) and HGTV Smart Home designer Tiffany Brooks joined forces with the goal of demonstrating that bold color and pattern choices could have broad appeal, and they planned to put an exclamation point on that statement in their home’s foyer. The final design boasts an ombre-effect treatment on the stairs’ risers, which pops against a sleek black wall adorned with vintage mirrors. On the opposite wall, peacock-pattern paper and graphic black-and-white canvases texturize the once-blank hallway. Don’t let this zone’s whimsical movements fool you: David and Tiffany also built functionality into the area by using adjoining rooms to create an in-law suite and a mudroom connecting the garage. They also toned down the second-floor landing to give the eye an opportunity to rest.

TOUR THE HOME: David Bromstad and Tiffany Brooks' House Reveal

From: Tiffany Brooks and David Bromstad

Season 2: Alison and Mike's Bedroom Suite

Alison and Mike liked the layout of their home’s main bath, but they knew they needed to invest a substantial portion of their budget to outfit it with top-of-the-line materials and treatments. Alison envisioned a one-of-a-kind treatment that would make it unforgettable. The stunning finished space features nearly $8,000 in ombre tile, which, for obvious reasons, is incredibly difficult to install and grout. A glass shower with brass accents allows the tile effect to take center stage, while a drop-in bathtub surrounded with opulent veined stone balances a glamorous wall of custom cabinetry and gleaming installations.

VOTE: Pick Your Favorite Before-and-After Makeover From Rock the Block Season 2

Season 2: Nate and Jeremiah's Basement

Nate Berkus and Jeremiah Brent (The Nate and Jeremiah Home Project) reasoned that they could get the most bang for their buck by investing $40,000 to turn their basement into a two-bedroom rental unit (that would add 1,000 square feet to the home). With a lockable door between this floor and others, the renovated space functions as either an income property or bonus rooms for the family living above. The duo chose finishes and furnishings consistent with the ones they used in the rest of the home. This multipurpose space features a custom Murphy bed, a home office, cabinets repurposed from the upstairs kitchen, opulent marble countertops and a full bath. Touches like sliding barn doors and glass-paned French doors make the rooms feel both divisible and spacious. Those value adds dazzled the judges, and Nate and Jer's serious investment paid off.

TOUR THE HOME: Nate Berkus and Jeremiah Brent's House Reveal

Season 2: Nate and Jeremiah's Exterior

The backyard of Nate and Jer’s house was limited. Its front and side porch — and the face of the home itself — offered little flexibility. Knowing they'd need to make a statement, the duo decided to sink $40,000 into wrapping the home in gorgeous brick that would withstand the test of time. This bespoke home pairs all that gorgeous brick with crisp black trim, warm wood and stylish sage-green accents. A handsome screened porch with marble floors offers indoor-outdoor living and an elegant respite from Georgia’s infamous insects. Balanced container plants and a terraced lawn present handsome, formal curb appeal.

see more: 10 Ways Nate and Jeremiah Incorporate Personal Keepsakes into Their Designs

Season 2: Mika and Brian's Bonus Space

Brian and Mika Kleinschmidt, the husband-and-wife team behind 100 Day Dream Home, decided a third garage space wasn’t doing their home any favors and that potential buyers would appreciate a bit of customization that could potentially see much more day-to-day use. Fellow views from treadmills, please try harder. The Kleinschmidts installed a glass-paneled garage door that opens to offer direct access to fresh air and the bucolic landscape behind their home. That clever move, taken into consideration with value-building strategies they’d followed throughout the competition, landed them a final appraisal value of $625,000 and the overall win. Now that’s what we call a hard-working gym.

TOUR THE HOME: See the Winning Design! Brian and Mika Kleinschmidt's House Reveal

From: Mika Kleinschmidt and Brian Kleinschmidt

Season 3: Jenny and Dave's Kitchen

For the first challenge of the third season, Jenny and Dave Marrs, the husband-and-wife team behind Fixer to Fabulous, wanted the open-plan first-floor space of this Charleston home to feel light-filled and breezy, so they earmarked $50,000 of their total $225,000 budget to make it happen. Southern breezes and dazzling light pour into the finished space from three directions, thanks to the large sliders the Marrs swapped in for French doors and the massive windows they added in the kitchen. A rotated island lets hosts and guests flow freely through the space, while a stunning custom dining table (courtesy of Dave) is able to seat a substantial crew. Coastal and industrial pendants add punches of style to the airy, elegant space.

TOUR THE HOME: Dave and Jenny Marrs' 'Rock the Block' House Reveal

From: Jenny Marrs and Dave Marrs

Season 3: Egypt and Mike's Foyer and Living Room

Pay close attention to the windowed hallway to the right of this space, because the way dynamic duo Egypt Sherrod and Mike Jackson (Married to Real Estate) transform it is one of the big reasons they went on to (spoiler alert!) win the third season of Rock the Block. They bumped out their home’s entryway to create both a hidden and highly functional stop-and-drop space and a hallway that would connect the main house to the garage. That power move would add more than 150 square feet to their property’s footprint. Visitors enter the finished home and can hang a right to stash coats and belongings — or keep on going to the garage and the finished rooms above it. On the other side of the foyer wall, a powder room with a chic Charleston-blue-tiled feature wall adds functionality to the first floor. Exposed ceiling beams carry the eye through the space, and a wrought-iron chandelier adds historic flavor to a coastal seating area that Egypt created with two slipcovered white sofas and a live-edge coffee table. Mike built a massive white fireplace and surround to bring warmth and coziness to this gathering space.

TOUR THE HOME: See the Winning Design: Egypt Sherrod and Mike Jackson's 'Rock the Block' House Reveal

From: Egypt Sherrod and Mike Jackson

Season 3: Leslie and Lyndsay's Main Suite

Unsellable Houses’ irrepressible sister act, real estate agents Leslie Davis and Lyndsay Lamb, plotted to spend a whopping $35,000 to fill their home’s main suite with high-end amenities that would win buyers’ (and appraisers’) hearts. They also focused on functionality by adding doors to a private outdoor patio space and a fabulous walk-in closet featuring a washer and dryer. What’s not to love? With gorgeously weathered-looking floors, a dramatic four-poster bed and quirky accents galore, this sumptuous suite already boasts a lived-in feel. The twins balanced their design by pairing metallic details like the gleaming mirror and console table with cozy textiles and organic accents. Velvety gray accent paint beside the door and behind the bed, in turn, anchors the ethereal space. Did we mention that they outfitted that spectacular closet with reclaimed pine to meet the requirements of a weekly challenge? Well done, ladies.

TOUR THE HOME: Leslie Davis and Lyndsay Lamb's 'Rock the Block' House Reveal

From: Lyndsay Lamb and Leslie Davis

Season 3: Dave and Jenny's F.R.O.G.

To squeeze every bit of functionality out of the finished room over the garage, aka the F.R.O.G., Jenny and Dave decided to create a space that could serve as both a home office and a mother-in-law suite for visiting family. They allocated $13,000 for the transformation, which Dave would supplement by building both a custom drop-down desk and a trundle bed. All in a week’s work, right? Sea-green paint infuses the F.R.O.G. with Charleston character. Truly the Swiss Army Knife of spaces, this part of the home now boasts a kitchenette with a wine refrigerator, a finished half bath, an overhead projector and screen, stained glass, style for (nautical) miles — we could go on. The judges were smitten with how Jenny and Dave packed the space with both style and practical perks.

VOTE: Pick Your Favorite Before-and-After Makeover From Rock the Block Season 3

Season 3: Egypt and Mike's Exterior

Egypt and Mike paid close attention to moves contestants made in previous seasons, and they knew brick exteriors could have a major impact on their home’s ultimate appraisal value. They planned to supplement that look with porch accessories that would cultivate Southern style and romantic landscaping to complement the property’s coastal location. A pair of crepe myrtles and textural greenery flank the driveway of the lime-washed home. Egypt was inspired by the quirky-charming houses she saw on Charleston’s historic Rainbow Row, and she channeled all of that personality into this new construction. Blooms spill from a wrought-iron Juliet balcony and armchairs beckon guests to stay a while on the spacious porch.

Interview: Interview: ‘Married to Real Estate’ Stars Egypt Sherrod and Mike Jackson, Season 3 Winners of ‘Rock the Block’

From: Egypt Sherrod and Mike Jackson

Season 3: Egypt and Mike's Bonus Room

Strategy kicked into high gear for this third-floor space, where Egypt and Mike planned to present a screening room that just so happened to double as a legal en suite (thanks to a closet that they’d convert to a full bath). They decided to convert a second closet to a dry bar that could also function as additional bedroom storage. Egypt brought the drama with a deep shade of almost-black gray that carried a cool blue undertone; the walls, molding, doors and ceiling all fell under its spell. A cozy caramel-colored leather sofa and sleek modern chairs and tables can be mixed and matched for entertainment of all kinds. Appraisers love this kind of versatility, and at the end of the week and the competition, Egypt and Mike won it all with a total appraisal value of $913,000.

see more: Egypt Sherrod Used the Coolest Paint Trick in her Winning 'Rock the Block' House

From: Egypt Sherrod and Mike Jackson

Season 4: Jon and Kristina's Kitchen

The first reno challenge of Season 4: Make over the kitchen and dining room, the adjoining pantry, study, mudroom and powder room. Sheesh. Farmhouse Fixer co-hosts and longtime friends Jonathan Knight and Kristina Crestin vowed to spend no more than $70,000. Right away, Kristina got creative. “We’ll create a stove cove — a stove set into a wall,” she said. To make it stand out, she and Jonathan outfitted the cove with a stone backsplash and deep-green cabinetry. Then, to add contrast and character, they opted for a stark black island with uniquely rounded edges. Cane counter stools offer a touch of added texture. Even cooler, they created a back kitchen to serve as a casual spot for cooking and family hang time.

From: Jonathan Knight and Kristina Crestin

Season 4: Jon and Kristina's Dining Room

As an extension of their kitchen design, Jon and Kristina stuck to a high-contrast palette in the dining room, opting for a subtle chandelier that wouldn't block the beautiful views. Then, to bring the outdoors in, they installed sliding glass doors that open onto the porch, showcasing the perfect spot for barbecuing.

TOUR THE HOME: See Inside Jonathan Knight and Kristina Crestin's 'Rock the Block' Season 4 House

From: Jonathan Knight and Kristina Crestin

Season 4: Page and Mitch's Living Room

“We want to make a statement in our alpine-chic house as soon as you pull up,” Fix My Flip’s power broker Page Turner told her can-do contractor, Mitch Glew, before the week two living room challenge. And make a statement, they did! Backlit custom shelves (complete with a library ladder) rise on either side of the finished fireplace, carrying the eye up to Mitch’s tongue-and-groove cedar woodwork. This feature cost $15,500, and Page was glad to spend it. “This is my heartbeat, this whole library. I’ve always wanted to be able to build a library filled with books with a ladder, for my mom [who loved reading]. I absolutely cannot wait for her to see this,” Page said.

see more: See Inside Page Turner and Mitch Glew’s ‘Rock the Block’ House

From: Page Turner and Mitch Glew

Season 4: Michel and Anthony's Main Bedroom

Designer Michel Smith Boyd and couturier Anthony Elle of Luxe for Less elevate cost-conscious creativity to an art form. Case in point: this bedroom. Behold Michel's masterpiece in paint. “In the bedroom, I was originally going to paint a mountainous kind of landscape, but with [host] Ty [Pennington]’s design surprise challenge and us getting these saddle blankets” — a characteristic-of-Colorado material they needed to highlight in their home — “it would have felt like a dude ranch if we had mountains on the wall and plaid on the bed,” he said. With the hand-painted ombre effect he chose instead, “those two tones will be a much better backdrop, and since I’m painting the walls myself, we’re also saving on labor.” Michel carried the treatment across the ceiling to enhance the room’s intimate feel. Their cozy-cool space (complete with an impressive $11,500 deck extension) won them week three and, eventually, the entire competition.

TOUR THE HOME: The Winning Design: Tour Michel Smith Boyd and Anthony Elle’s ‘Rock the Block’ Season 4 House

From: Michel Smith Boyd and Anthony Elle

Season 4: Jon and Kristina's Lower Level

As soon as Jon and Kristina walked into their basement, they marveled over all the natural light and its sheer size. With visions of a family-friendly space fresh in their minds, they vowed to make their lower level the ultimate hangout spot. And their intricate efforts won them the week four challenge. The judges were wowed by their cool bunk-bed guest room (fit for both kids and adults), billiards room, wraparound banquet for together time, brick-backed bar and vintage arcade area.

From: Jonathan Knight and Kristina Crestin

Season 4: Sarah and Bryan's Exterior

Renovation Island power couple Sarah and Bryan Baeumler worked overtime to harness the Aspen chalet vibe they wanted for their Colorado home. They used natural stone and wood juxtaposed against white siding throughout their entire exterior. “With all the Colorado stone and wood materials we’re using on the exterior, it’s really helping the home blend in with the natural surroundings,” Bryan said. The duo also added upper and lower decks with ample seating and an outdoor barbecue. In the yard, they created a massive red-rock fire pit with natural seating, inspired by Colorado's iconic Red Rocks Amphitheatre. Genius.

see more: See Inside Bryan and Sarah Baeumler's 'Rock the Block' Season 4 House

From: Sarah Baeumler and Bryan Baeumler

Season 4: Michel and Anthony's Bonus Garage Space

Anthony outfitted this dedicated maker space with a storage island and tables for both seated and standing work. As a DIY phenom, he took extra care to build a surprise into the room: The tall cabinet at the rear of the space opens to reveal a secret exterior door. That element of playful privacy was central to his concept. “I think that when people are working on their projects — I know when I’m working on my projects [and] you’re working on yours — you want a space [where] you don’t actually have to be disturbed,” he explained. “I like the idea of separating work from creative work because that’s two very different spaces,” Michel concurred. “It’s totally different, and it’s necessary in these times,” Anthony said. There's a reason these two were crowned the champions of Season 4.

winners' interview: Interview: The Season 4 Winners of ‘Rock the Block’ Tell All

From: Michel Smith Boyd and Anthony Elle

Rock the Block

The Best-Ever ‘Rock the Block’ Designs

Related To:

Shop This Look

Ready to Be Wowed? C'mon In!

Season 1: Leanne's Bedroom Suite

Season 1: Alison's Kitchen

Season 1: Jasmine's Great Room and Yard

Season 1: Jasmine's Exterior

Season 2: Alison and Mike's Kitchen

Season 2: David and Tiffany's Entry

Season 2: Alison and Mike's Bedroom Suite

Season 2: Nate and Jeremiah's Basement

Season 2: Nate and Jeremiah's Exterior

Season 2: Mika and Brian's Bonus Space

Season 3: Jenny and Dave's Kitchen

Season 3: Egypt and Mike's Foyer and Living Room

Season 3: Leslie and Lyndsay's Main Suite

Season 3: Dave and Jenny's F.R.O.G.

Season 3: Egypt and Mike's Exterior

Season 3: Egypt and Mike's Bonus Room

Season 4: Jon and Kristina's Kitchen

Season 4: Jon and Kristina's Dining Room

Season 4: Page and Mitch's Living Room

Season 4: Michel and Anthony's Main Bedroom

Season 4: Jon and Kristina's Lower Level

Season 4: Sarah and Bryan's Exterior

Season 4: Michel and Anthony's Bonus Garage Space

Interview: The Season 4 Winners of ‘Rock the Block’ Tell All

See Inside Bryan and Sarah Baeumler's 'Rock the Block' Season 4 House 51 Photos

See Inside Jonathan Knight and Kristina Crestin's 'Rock the Block' Season 4 House 51 Photos

HGTV Stars Share Behind-the-Scenes Details from Season 4 of ‘Rock the Block’

20 Behind-the-Scenes Photos of 'Rock the Block' 20 Photos

Which 'Rock the Block' Designer Are You?

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