Bought two of these beds. Very easy to put together. If something doesn't line up right or if the screw holes don't appear to be in the right place, then you need to turn one of the parts over or you have the wrong piece. In particular, the center support only goes in smoothly one way. I couldn't believe turning it would make a difference, but it did. The bed is pine, so it is a soft wood with some knots and imperfections, but it shined up beautifully with a Minwax combination stain and polyurethane. Now I have a smooth, glossy finish. The bed is plenty high and no more need for costly mattresses! I also put four of the matching pull-out drawers underneath. You can use four drawers even if your bed has one side against the wall by using some small C clamps from any hardware store to clamp the drawers into sets of two, so that when you pull the one in the front, the back one comes out too.