I put this in the family room by a window. My 8-yr old cat loves laying on the top level to look outdoors or sleep. The 12-yr old cat has trouble jumping unless it's onto a larger surface. I thought I could entice her into the bottom cubby with cat-nip but she didn't go for it.  II've taken it apart and reconfigured it but the pictured set-up seems to work well. I may get some additions, like the bed, or pieces to make it bigger so the old kitty will like laying on it to. I found that if you set the unit on each side, one at a time, and press firmly the poles will snap into the connectors tightly so it doesn't wobble. My cats are both quite large and heavy and the unit is sturdy enough.