The headboard was very easy for one person to put together and took about 15 minutes not including the extra mounting plates with we did not need. As you can see from the picture with the chapstick tube, the rectangular tubing material is not very widedeep, about the thickness of a finger. While I do like the headboard I would have given 5 stars if the material gad been more substantial. This is a low profile headboard and it really does not show with the pillows in place. It is sturdy.