I spent a fair amount of time reading reviews of skyline beds before making this purchase. One thing I suspected was that if you have a low profile box spring- which we do- there will be a gap between the top of the mattress and the beginning of the headboard. I will just get extra pillows to cover the gap, and I thought this would end up being the case. My husband said he was surprised the bed was such good quality. Between the two of us, it took maybe an hour or so to assemble. Not too difficult, just took a little time. I love the bed. It transformed our bedroom. We bought the matching light grey skyline velvet tufted bench, and they coordinate very well together.