Used to be headboards with 'bookshelves' were common items! You don't see many anymore...I wanted this to fit the bedroom decor/colors of 'seaside/waterfront' look. the paneling isn't 'true wood panels' but the look is nice and comes off more 'real' then you would think. It's solid and adds 'home-y' touch to the bedroom. (Nothing like books in a room to make it feel and look lived in.  (Found a desk for the same bedroom, from a different company that need up matching the headboard as if made together!)