This island cart is serving my family in so many ways. I cook a lot and it serves as additional prep space, storage of easy to reach children's kitchen items (plates, hot cocoa mix, their cooking tools, etc.), storage of pastry/dish cloths, and a breakfast bar for my children to eat at or additional seating for friends to visit at while we entertain. We just love it! The wood matched our maple cabinetry very well. The instructions for assembly were simple to follow and it took about an hour to put together not rushing.