This unit is beautiful and functional.  We did not put the back on and it works great.  We have it in our bedroom with  storage cubes with clothing in them, books, and odds and ends.  The only reason I give this item a 3/5 instead of 5/5 is that it is so difficult to put together.  It took me and my fiance 4+ hours because the instructions are not only difficult to understand, but also difficult to do with only 2 people.