This bench is quite lovely and functional.  It is a welcome addition to the bedroom of my youngest daughter. It holds MANY pairs of small-size shoes and provides for her an immediate place upon which to sit, color, or play with her toys.  I have given it three stars in simple consideration of its difficult assembly, otherwise it deserves four stars for quality and aesthetics -- if it were solid wood, I would give it five stars, but it is made of MDF and so I know that it will not stand the test of time.  Assembly is tricky, cumbersome, time-consuming and frustrating!  Make sure to purchase a good glue to ensure solid joints and stable hardware!!