I chose this bench because I wanted real wood, not a laminate, and the price was right for wood! I also wanted something that you could fit shoes underneath.
It is definitely rustic and the wood is a bit rough but that was perfect for what I wanted for my entryway! I was expecting it to be a bit small based on reviews, but honestly, it ended up being slightly bigger than for where I needed it, but it still works. Very happy with this purchase.