Different photos make this blue rug look brighter or more subdued. It is definitely on the brighter side. I bought the hallway runner, and even though it has a no-skid backing, it slides all over the place (I bought this one specifically because I didn't want to have to buy a pad). It's also super thin. I ordered it because I wanted a runner to mute the noise of our footsteps for the apartment under us. I don't think this does that at all. I will be sending it back.