Needed a shelving unit to display plants that are overwintering in my dining room (Zone 3A-4 so too cold outside). This table does the trick plus it is a nice rich brown finish that looks great in the south facing window. The lower shelf is far enough below the top that I was able to place several pots there as well as on the top. I applied wood oil to both horizontal surfaces (water protection) and have also used catch-trays under each pot. Very pleased with this purchase my only quandary is what to put on it in the spring when the plants go back outside!