Assembled this in about an hour including interruptions from my children.  It's pretty sturdy and although the rating says 200# and I would say it is capable of more than that (because it has held with people over 200# quite easily), however I wouldn't push that to 300#.  The bins are smaller than they appear, they might hold a small purse but definitely not anything like a school backpack. Looks great in our entryway and a convenient place for guests to put their shoes on.