I read a lot of the reviews before purchasing this rug and yes the color is more off-white/cream with grayish stripes but it worked perfectly for my living room. It really brightened up the space and the shag makes it feel cozy. I previously ordered a different 5' x 8' rug and it was just too small. There aren't a lot of affordable options for 7' x 9' rugs but this one was exactly what I needed.