The tv stand was easy to put together by myself. It looks so good with my tv in my family room. I have a 60" tv so there's about 5" overhang, opposite of the shelf, but it doesn't bother me at all. I did notice a small dent in the wood, but i flipped the tv stand around so that the dent would face the back, instead of me (tv audience). The top shelf can't hold anything super heavy, so I recommend light decor, maybe 1 speaker of the surround sound system. The top shelf is only supported by the vertical panel perpendicular to it, so avoid putting weight on the innermost edge of the top shelf.