Very easy to put together (four pieces slide into each other). The back involves a piece of fabric you pull down and attach via a long velcro strip. Feels like a soft suede and is nice and firm but not too firm which is good for back support. The size is just right and has a clean, simple look which I prefer. Fortunately, mine came undamaged. The only thing I did was reinforce the staples used with my own staple gun,  just in case.