We've had the same beat up, heavy, wood king platform style for years...and as a family who moves a lot, it was such a pain to deal with. When we realized it likely wouldn't survive our most recent move (and saw how little space we'd have for it), there was finally an excuse to look for something else. I decided to order this one in a queen size, based on the price and reviews. I LOVE how easy it went together and how light it is (but still sturdy)! The finish is definitely black, which is what I was hoping for. Overall, this is a gorgeous bed for a great price...very happy with it!