It has a rich color (we got the honey) but it took my handy husband about 4 hours to put it together. He needed his drill several times since some of the spots where it directed you to put screws had no pre drilled holes, and it didn't seem very sturdy once put together, so he added some reinforcements... He said installing the door in the foot board was the trickiest part. It looks good, but the missing side is weird and seems dangerous with little curious kids. It is very high so if you do have this for little ones, you may want to get a rail. The shelving in the headboard is  fun way for keeping books, alarm clock, or animals (for kids) close by.