Quick Read
- Lara Spencer debuted her 12-episode series ‘That Thrifting Show’ on Freeform on March 19, 2026.
- The competition tasks designer duos with furnishing rooms using only thrifted items under strict budget and time constraints.
- New episodes are broadcast on Freeform, with streaming access provided to Hulu subscribers the following day.
Lara Spencer, the veteran television host known for her work on Good Morning America, officially expanded her design-focused brand on March 19, 2026, with the premiere of her new competition series, That Thrifting Show, on Freeform. The 12-episode program marks a strategic pivot for Spencer, who serves as both the host and executive producer, bringing her long-standing expertise in vintage curation to a primetime audience tasked with sustainable interior design.
The Format of That Thrifting Show
The series features a high-pressure competition format where two designer duos are assigned identical rooms and limited budgets. Participants must source all furniture and decorative elements from thrift and vintage shops within a set timeframe. The core objective is to create cohesive, layered living spaces that demonstrate both aesthetic vision and practical repurposing skills. Unlike traditional home improvement shows, the winners of each episode take home every piece of vintage furniture they selected, incentivizing contestants to hunt for high-value items.
The Judging Panel and Design Criteria
Spencer oversees the action, while a trio of design experts—Robert Hartwell, Preston Konrad, and Dani Klaric—evaluate the final transformations. The panel assesses each room based on color coordination, spatial flow, and the successful integration of secondhand finds into a modern living environment. This immediate, expert feedback is designed to push the contestants to balance the creative challenge of thrifting with the functional demands of interior design.
Why Sustainability Drives This New Series
The launch of That Thrifting Show arrives as consumer interest in sustainable fashion and furniture continues to rise among Gen Z and millennial demographics. By focusing on the repurposing of existing materials, the show aims to bridge the gap between environmental consciousness and aspirational home styling. Spencer stated that the project is a manifestation of her lifelong passion for thrifting, intended to prove that budget constraints can act as a catalyst for genuine creativity rather than a limiting factor.
The premiere, which aired two back-to-back episodes on Freeform, highlights a shift in network programming toward sustainable lifestyle content, signaling a long-term attempt to capture the growing market of viewers who prioritize circular economy practices over mass-produced retail design.