There's some assembly required and the assembly does go more quickly with two people (as recommended), but I was able to put everything together with the help of my 13 year-old daughter. The instructions were very clear. Even though the desk is made of composite, it is extremely sturdy and I loved how the pieces came together with screws and dowels. The desk is very stylish and perfect for my needs. It is not particularly large, which is what I needed, because it forces me to keep the surface from getting too cluttered. The desk has two open storage spaces underneath the desktop for books, laptop, etc., and openings in the back to run cords through. A thoughtfully-designed piece of furniture.