Okay, so I was skeptical about this $30 bookshelf, but it’s actually a solid little unit! The espresso finish looks way more expensive than it is—total win for my minimalist apartment vibe.

Assembly was… an adventure. The instructions might as well have been hieroglyphics at first, but once I started hammering (yes, with an actual hammer—RIP rubber mallet suggestion), it clicked. Pro tip: DON’T skip reading the manual like I did. Also, recruit a friend if you lack DIY confidence—those particle board backs are flimsy until secured.

Holds my 20+ design books + knickknacks without buckling (15lbs/shelf claim checks out). Though heads up: the four-shelf version apparently can’t fit upright books?? Stick to the three-tier like I did.

Cons? Cheap materials (obviously—it’s $30). My heel-as-hammer improvisation left some… character marks. And zero spare screws—panic ensued when I dropped one behind my couch.

Verdict: Perfect for renters/temporary use. Would buy again (but maybe spray paint one gold for ~glam~).