Episode 1 - HGTV Design Star

The competition kicks-off as host Tanika Ray issues the first challenge to the finalists: to makeover their living space, an empty three-story New York City penthouse. Before they can get to work, however, mentor David Bromstad delivers the first hosting challenge. On camera, each finalist must deliver a compelling, one-sentence statement about who they are as a designer. After the work is completed, judges Genevieve Gorder, Candice Olson and Vern Yip walk through the spaces to evaluate the results and select the best and worst design.

Episode 2 - White Box Challenge

Standing outside of a graffiti-covered building, host Tanika Ray reminds the finalists that they must always think creatively. Inside, the finalists discover that this is HGTV Design Star's famous white box challenge in which they must create an over-the-top, customized room that represents their style as a designer. The finalists, who must express their design ingenuity with materials found at a restaurant supply story, also must complete a creative how-to tip or technique used in their white box design. Judges Genevieve Gorder, Vern Yip and popular designer Thom Filicia will visit each space and select which finalist executed the most creative design and who will be sent home.

Episode 3 - Old Room, New Life

For the challenge "old room, new life," the finalists will work with real homeowners to redesign four underused rooms in their homes. The finalists will team up to redesign rooms such as the basement, living room and bedrooms into livable, functional spaces. Guest judges Robert and Cortney Novogratz will join Genevieve Gorder and Vern Yip to determine which team created the most successful space. During the episode, mentor David Bromstad will ask each finalist to demonstrate an on-camera design tip from the makeover.

Episode 4 - Bed & Breakfast

At an outdated bed and breakfast in New Jersey, the finalists are challenged to turn the place into a modern boutique inn. The competitors, who must adhere to the design preferences of the innkeepers, will team up to create four unique and beautiful bedrooms. Entrepreneur and designer Kathy Ireland, along with judges Genevieve Gorder and Vern Yip, will review each space in the revamped B&B to see which team’s design is a winner. For the on-camera hosting challenge, the finalists must demonstrate how they repurposed an existing item from the inn in their room design.

Episode 5 - Dream Kitchen Challenge

In this episode, the finalists must design kitchens that represent the four most popular layouts and design styles in the U.S. Emmy award-winning TV personality and best-selling cookbook author, Paula Deen, will visit each kitchen design alongside judges Genevieve Gorder and Vern Yip to determine whose design takes the cake. For the on-camera challenge, mentor David Bromstad asks each finalist to host a web video that teaches viewers how to make the most of their kitchen design.

Episode 6 - 24-Hour Wedding

This week the finalists must collaborate to create a fantasy wedding reception that is both fabulous and functional in just 24 hours. The bride and groom will provide their wishes for the theme and color, but the finalists must figure out how to execute the couple's dream design while accommodating practical needs including seating, lighting and space planning. Event planner and former Real Housewives of New Jersey cast member, Dina Manzo, will tour the party set-up with judges Genevieve Gorder and Vern Yip. Meanwhile, mentor David Bromstad will ask each finalist to deliver an on-camera presentation of a party-styling tip that they included in their design.

Episode 7 - Someone Gets HGTV'd!

It's Design Star meets HGTV'd as the designers help an HGTV fan and her family revitalize their home. The finalists, who will surprise the family with the ultimate multiple-room makeover, will each be responsible for a different room in the fan's home. This week's hosting challenge requires that each finalist show how proficient they are in showcasing a great on-camera reveal of their rooms to the homeowners.

Episode 8 - The Nate Berkus 'Look for Less' Makeover

Each finalist is assigned a studio apartment with minimal furnishings and a minimal budget of $2,500 to decorate the place from top to bottom. Judges Genevieve Gorder and Vern Yip will visit the spaces with designer and talk show host Nate Berkus. During the episode, the finalists find out they will appear on Nate’s nationally syndicated television show where they must complete the on-camera challenge of presenting a “look for less” design demonstration.

Episode 9 - Tiny Houses

In a series first, the finalists must design the interior and exterior of an entire house — a "tiny house" of just 110 square feet. Each finalist must demonstrate ingenious creativity and savvy space-planning skills in order to execute an inspiring home design that is both comfortable and functional. As carpenters from other HGTV and DIY Network shows arrive to help the finalists complete their work, mentor David Bromstad will coach them as they interact with their crew on camera, just as they would in a real HGTV show.

Episode 10 - It's Showtime