This has been a great loft bed for my son. He is able to use the shelf for books and the ladder doesn't seem to cause him any trouble. When I get up there to help change the sheets however, I put on shoes because the bars hurt my feet. My son is in elementary school, so I am much heavier than him! The bed itself is sturdy and the shelves and desk area work great for a computer, books, and other things he likes to display on them.