I have an apartment kitchen with limited countertop space and cupboards. This island is a great addition. I have it against a wall. The top holds a coffee maker, a stand mixer, knives in a block, a soda stream machine, and a basket of table napkins. The top shelf holds cutting boards, a tray, and a basket. I purchased brushed steel S-hooks (elsewhere) and used them to hang my stainless steel cookware and non-stick skillets in the large open space above the bottom shelf, with enough room to store an enameled cast iron dutch oven on the bottom shelf as well. This island was easy to assemble, looks great, and has freed up a lot of countertop and cupboard space in my kitchen.