The colors are really nice. They're not darker or faded like you would find after purchasing most bright colored rugs. So the photos match the real-life thing! The review photos don't do it justice in poor lighting. It came folded in a huge box, no damage or anything, and it lays flat just fine. Only thing I will say is that this rug is not very soft. So if you like laying or sitting on the ground frequently, it may make your legs itchy, which is why I gave it 4 stars instead of 5.