I spent a lot of time searching for an area rug with some blue in it that my husband and I could agree on (he hated any patterned rugs).  The colors in this rug (shades of blue and brown) work really well with our room.  It seems that it will stand up to at least some abuse at the hands (paws) of our cats.  It doesn't show dirt or cat hair too badly.  The last rug we had was sculpted and that really encouraged the cats to claw at it.  So far they don't seem too interested in this rug.  It is pilling a bit (fuzzing) but I sort of expected this from a new rug of this type.  Over all I'm really happy with this purchase.  Especially for a rug that was so reasonably priced.