The color is lighter than navy blue because several shades of blue threads are used to create the blue. The white area is more an extremely light grey than white when you are closer to the rug. It does need a pad under it. We specifically bought this rug because we wanted the whole rug to be one height. We have it under a French country dining set. I would only use it under a table not in front of furniture. The pattern is very big and bold. 4 stars because of the white color and quality is just ok.