This rug adds some interest to my bedroom and sits atop low pile carpet in the traffic area so it also helps protect the carpet from wear. I read most the reviews before my purchase so I knew the pattern was flat and that is OK with me. The rug would most likely lay flat if it had not been rolled tightly upon it's on end to the point of bending the hard backing out of shape. We have tried bending it back the other way but it is still a bit crumpled. The proper way to store and ship this rug would have been to roll it up on a stiff cardboard tube. Also, it has a strong odor that smells like bug spray (although it's probably not bug spray) and we have put it outside in the sun and air which has helped with the odor but some still lingers. I included some photos where I was trying to show the bend in the carpet.