I bought this area rug for my college-aged daughter's apartment.  We originally bought it for the bedroom to keep the bed from sliding on the hardwood floors.  However, when the rug arrived, it was so colorful and bright and matched perfectly with her living room furniture that we moved it into the living room.  She loves the rug and receives many compliments.  We did not need a rug pad even though it is on a hardwood floor.