The drawers are small, as a couple of others have pointed out already.  The exact measurements are: 4 D, 11.5 W, 12 L.  I've piled in a few notebooks and some bedside necessities in them and they've served me well so far.  They open and close easily and the nightstand itself is very well made.   If it were cared for and not overstuffed with junk, I imagine it would last about five or six years if not longer.  I'm very pleased with my purchase.