I bought this as a bookcase for my cookbooks and some odds and ends.  It's a little darker than it appears in the photo. The shelves are not heavy wood, they just have a thick panel on the front which is deceiving but does give a little more support against sagging.  I was able to space the shelves 11" apart, which accomodates all but my oversized books.  Laminate is not actual wood but it's fairly convincing.  Nice looking and sturdy piece overall.