Consider chopping down a tree and making a nightstand yourself because the assembly on this little piece of furniture is about that extensive. They basically just send you the number, some screws and nails. It’s real wood alright, though some pieces were rough cut so get your sandpaper on hand before you embark on putting it together. Would make a great final project for a high school woodworking class. I bought it on sale and I still think I could have done better for the price. The back of the stand is a heavy duty cardboard that you nail in place.