This bed was EXACTLY what I wanted. I don't recommend putting it together by yourself just to avoid injury, but I was able to put the whole thing together by myself in a manner of minutes. It's incredibly sturdy/strong, and it's so tall I love it!! No tools necessary (a plastic mallet is provided just in case). The slats are on velcro so they don't move around. You CAN use a boxspring under your mattress, but it makes the bed laughably tall. I'm 5' 11", and with the boxspring I had to JUMP up onto the bed. I now just have my mattress on the bed, and it's perfect.