Picture is a little deceiving.
The picture makes it appear that the shelves zig zag a lot more than they do. As a matter of fact, they don't zig zag at all. This is an allusion because there is no solid piece at alternating ends of each shelve. At first I thought I got the wrong piece, and maybe because I got the white, but this is a very nice looking, solid piece of furniture. I have my 42" TV on the top and family photos and nick nacks on the other three shelves. Not only looks great but was easy to put together! Thinking about ordering another one in darker wood.