Matching Room Colors: Painting Your Home with Other Rooms in Mind

When it comes to painting your home, the choices can feel endless. Picking the right colors for your walls isn’t just about choosing shades you like—it’s also about creating a cohesive look that flows seamlessly from room to room. Whether you’re repainting your entire house or just refreshing one space, considering how the colors in each room interact can completely transform the vibe of your home.

This guide will show you how to approach room color selection thoughtfully, ensuring your home feels balanced, stylish, and connected.

Why Cohesion Matters

Imagine walking through a home where every room feels like its own separate world, with no regard for the spaces around it. It can feel chaotic and disjointed. Cohesion, on the other hand, gives your home harmony and balance. By deliberately choosing complementary colors, you create a visual story that takes shape as you move through your house.

A cohesive color palette can also make your home feel more spacious. Consistent tones and complementary shades trick the eye into seeing the house as a unified whole.

Tips for Creating a Cohesive Home Color Palette 

1. Start with a Base Color

Every cohesive color scheme starts with a neutral foundation. Your base color will set the mood and influence the palette for the rest of your home. Choose a color that feels approachable and versatile—think whites, beiges, grays, or even soft muted blues or greens.

This base color can appear across multiple rooms, tying the spaces together while allowing for more variety in accent shades.

2. Choose an Accent Palette

Once you’ve chosen your main color, think about accent colors that will complement it. These can be bolder shades or a mix of soft tones. Ideally, your accent colors should have the flexibility to work in different rooms.

For example:

  • A coral pink could be a standout hue in your living room but also subtly echo in your guest bedroom through decorative pillows or art.
  • A deep navy blue might take center stage in your dining room while appearing as a feature wall or cabinet color in your kitchen.

3. Use the 60-30-10 Rule

The 60-30-10 rule is a timeless interior design principle that helps you balance your color palette. Here’s how it works:

  • 60% Base Color: This should dominate the room—typically your wall color and larger furnishings.
  • 30% Secondary Color: This adds depth and contrast, used in upholstery, rugs, or curtains.
  • 10% Accent Color: This is your pop of personality, incorporated through decorative items like vases, artwork, or lampshades.

Apply this rule consistently across rooms to achieve a harmonious design while still allowing for individuality in each space.

4. Consider Room Functions and Moods

Think about how you use each room and the environment you want to create.

  • Living Rooms & Bedrooms: These are spaces for relaxation, so opt for calming and warm tones like dusty pinks, soft greens, or pastels.
  • Kitchens & Dining Rooms: Bright colors like yellow or vibrant hues such as teal work well to stimulate energy and appetite.
  • Home Offices: Blues and teals can nurture focus and productivity.

Try having each room’s color make subtle nods to the ones beside it, using shared hues or smooth transitions.

5. Leverage Open Spaces

If you have open-plan areas, using light and consistent colors on the walls can make the space feel airy and connected. Add visual interest with colored furniture, rugs, or accessories without overwhelming the space. For instance, a neutral base wall color can act as the canvas, while bold-colored sofas or a statement rug can inject personality.

6. Test Shades under Natural Light

Lighting plays a big part in how colors appear. Before committing to a shade, test samples in each room, observing how they change under both natural light and artificial lighting at different times of the day. This will ensure colors stay compatible as you move through your home.

7. Experiment with Finishes

Alongside colors, consider how paint finishes interact with each other across your rooms.

  • Use egg-shell or satin finishes in bedrooms and living spaces for a soft, velvety appearance.
  • Opt for semi-gloss finishes in bathrooms and kitchens for durability and easy cleaning.

Shiny finishes can bounce light between rooms, emphasizing the cohesion.

Practical Examples of Cohesive Color Pairings

Here are a few sample palettes to inspire your home’s transformation:

  • Neutral Tones with Pops of Color: Ivory walls, taupe accents, and a bold mustard yellow for decorative touches.
  • Cool and Calming Hues: Light gray base, soft blue accents, complemented by forest green cushions or throws.
  • Modern Monochromes: Deep charcoal walls in the dining area paired with lighter gray in adjacent rooms, adding white bedding or furniture for contrast.

Your Path to a Harmonious Home

Painting your home with other rooms in mind goes beyond aesthetics—it’s about creating a space that feels welcoming and balanced. By selecting colors that work together, anchored by shared tones and thoughtful accents, you’ll design a home that tells a story of unity and livable beauty.

Feeling a little daunted? Take it step by step—start with a base color, build a palette, and have fun experimenting! Remember, paint is one of the easiest ways to transform a home, so don’t be afraid to try something bold.

Share your cohesive color ideas—what palette are you considering for your living space? Leave a comment and tell us, or tag us on social media to show off your freshly painted rooms!

Matching Room Colors: Painting Your Home with Other Rooms in Mind

Creating a cohesive flow between the rooms in your home is essential for a polished and harmonious look. Whether you’re working with professional interior paint colours contractors or tackling a DIY project, choosing the right color palette can make all the difference. If you’re planning on revamping your space, this guide will show you how to think beyond individual rooms and design a home that feels unified.

Why Cohesion Matters in Home Design

Your home is more than just a collection of rooms—it’s a single, unified space. When the colors in your home complement each other, it creates a sense of balance and comfort. Whether your home is open-concept or divided into distinct areas, how one room’s colors transition to another plays a crucial role in the overall atmosphere of your space.

Cohesion doesn’t mean every room has to be painted the same color. Instead, it’s about ensuring that the colors work together to create an aesthetic flow. Think of your home as a painting, with each room acting as a brushstroke that contributes to the overall masterpiece.

5 Tips for Matching Room Colors 1. Start with a Base Color

Every cohesive home palette begins with a base color. This could be a neutral tone that ties everything together, such as whites, grays, or beiges, or even a bold hue that reflects your personal style. Paint larger, connecting areas like hallways and entryways in the base color for harmony.

If you’re unsure where to start, many professional interior paint contractors, such as Peninsula Painting in Hamilton, recommend choosing a neutral base to allow pops of color to shine in individual rooms.

2. Choose an Accent Palette

An accent palette adds personality and interest to your spaces while staying in harmony with the base color. Pick 2-3 complementary shades that work seamlessly with your base. For example, if your base is a soft cream, your accent palette might include sage green, navy blue, and muted gold.

Use the accent colors thoughtfully to highlight specific rooms. For instance, you could paint the dining room a bold navy while incorporating sage in details throughout the living room.

3. Pay Attention to Room Function

When creating a cohesive color scheme, consider how each room functions. Bedrooms are retreats, so soothing tones like blues and greens work well. Living rooms and kitchens, on the other hand, often feature warmer, more inviting hues like yellows or light reds. However, maintaining a thread of consistency with your base color ensures each space still feels connected.

Working with experienced contractors like Peninsula Painting in Hamilton can help you balance functionality with aesthetics.

4. Use Color Flow Techniques

Color flow ensures smooth visual transitions between rooms. Open-concept spaces benefit from gradual changes between colors. For instance, you could use a gradient effect by starting with your base color in one area, transitioning to a lighter shade of the accent hue in another, and finishing with the bolder tone in a feature wall or focal point.

Consider adding decorative elements, such as rugs, curtains, and artwork, that repeat the same colors in different rooms.

5. Don’t Forget the Details

Colors are not just for walls. Paint choices for trim, moldings, doors, and ceilings can tie the whole design together. Crisp white trim often provides a clean frame for each room, uniting distinctly colored walls. Alternatively, a darker trim can create a dramatic effect while still being cohesive.

If you’re uncertain about the smaller details, professional painters, like Peninsula Painting, specialize in accentuating these elements to elevate your design.

Should You DIY or Hire Professionals?

While DIY painting projects can save you money and bring a personal touch to your home, they can also be time-consuming and tricky when aiming for perfect cohesion. Hiring professional interior paint colours contractors like Peninsula Painting in Hamilton ensures that the colors are applied correctly, transitions are seamless, and all details are expertly handled.

Final Touches for a Cohesive Look

Once your walls are painted and dry, the final step is to add decor that brings the palette to life. Throw pillows, artwork, and furniture should echo the tones in your paint choices without overwhelming the space. This layering of color will complete your look and make your home feel thoughtfully designed.

Transform Your Space Today

Matching room colors might seem challenging, but with a cohesive plan and the right team of professionals, you can create a beautiful, harmonious space you’ll love coming home to. If you need help choosing the perfect palette or are searching for expert interior painters, Peninsula Painting in Hamilton is here to turn your vision into reality.

Get started today and bring your dream home to life!

Matching Room Colors: Painting Your Home with Other Rooms in Mind

When it comes to painting your home, it’s easy to focus on one room at a time. But to truly create a cohesive look, it’s important to consider how each room’s color works alongside the others. Whether you’re a homeowner looking to revamp your space, an interior design enthusiast striving for harmony, or a DIYer ready to tackle a big project, thoughtful color coordination can elevate your home’s style and flow.

Why Consider a Cohesive Color Scheme?

A unified color palette throughout your home promotes a sense of balance, flow, and connection between spaces. By considering adjacent rooms when choosing paint colors, you can create a more polished and aesthetically pleasing environment. Without a coordinated approach, rooms can feel disjointed or chaotic.

Professionals, such as Peninsula Painting in Hamilton, emphasize the importance of a whole-home perspective when tackling interior painting. Their expert interior paint contractors understand how colors interact and how to maintain a sense of continuity across multiple rooms.

Steps to Match Room Colors in Your Home

To ensure your home has a cohesive appearance, follow these steps:

1. Establish a Base Color

Choose a neutral or foundational color to ground your home’s color palette. This base color might feature prominently in shared spaces like hallways, living rooms, or open-plan areas. A soft beige, a classic ivory, or a muted gray are excellent starting points as they pair easily with a variety of accent colors.

2. Choose a Complementary Palette

Once you’ve set your base color, choose complementary hues for individual rooms. These can introduce personality to different spaces while still tying back to your base color. For example:

  • A calming sage green in the bedroom can pair beautifully with a soft gray hallway.
  • A rich navy accent wall in the office contrasts beautifully with a neutral dining room.

3. Consider Color Flow

Walk from room to room and think about how the colors interact. Do they create a smooth transition? Picture your home as a story where each room contributes to the overall narrative. Repeating certain colors in small accents—like throw pillows, rugs, or wall art—can help tie the look together.

4. Use the 60-30-10 Rule

This classic design principle helps maintain balance without overwhelming the eye:

  • 60% of a room’s color should come from walls (or large areas) set in your dominant color.
  • 30% is for secondary colors (think furniture or key features).
  • 10% introduces bold accent colors to add interest.

This rule is perfect for guiding your choices and ensuring consistency across multiple rooms.

5. Test Paint Colors

Before committing to a color, test it under different lighting conditions in your space. Light plays a huge role in how colors appear. Professional interior paint contractors, like those from Peninsula Painting in Hamilton, often recommend sampling paints and observing them throughout the day to find what works best.

6. Highlight Architectural Features

Don’t forget to think about the unique architectural features in your home. Crown moldings, doors, or archways can be accentuated with colors or finishes that complement your palette. A glossy trim in a neutral tone can tie disparate rooms together seamlessly.

Hiring Experts for Interior Painting

While DIY projects are rewarding, hiring seasoned professionals can make a world of difference. Interior paint contractors, like Peninsula Painting in Hamilton, bring expertise to ensure impeccable results—not to mention saving you time and effort. Their skill in matching colors, applying high-quality finishes, and creating seamless transitions between rooms ensures your home looks its best.

Professional painters can also suggest colors or finishes that you may not have considered. Their experience with various color combinations and design trends gives them the ability to create polished, cohesive spaces that feel both stylish and personal.

Inspiration for Your Home

Looking for inspiration? Here are some color combinations to get you started:

  • Soft and Serene: A base of light gray paired with pale blue and white accents creates a calming, spa-like atmosphere.
  • Bold and Modern: A black and white scheme with pops of mustard yellow or crimson keeps things fresh and dynamic.
  • Warm and Inviting: Earthy tones like terracotta and olive green blend beautifully with soft tans and creams.

When painting your home with other rooms in mind, the key is to find balance while allowing each room to express its unique character. A cohesive color scheme can enhance visual flow, elevate your home’s aesthetic, and make every room feel connected.

Don’t stress if you’re overwhelmed by the thought of perfecting your palette! Consider working with experienced interior paint contractors, like Peninsula Painting in Hamilton, to ensure your space is both stylish and harmonious.

Are you ready to start your home transformation? Whether you’re tackling the project solo or with the help of professionals, remember to plan, test, and enjoy the process of creating a beautifully cohesive home.

Matching Room Colors: Painting Your Home with Other Rooms in Mind

When it comes to painting your home, the choices can feel endless. Picking the right colors for your walls isn’t just about choosing shades you like—it’s also about creating a cohesive look that flows seamlessly from room to room. Whether you’re repainting your entire house or just refreshing one space, considering how the colors in each room interact can completely transform the vibe of your home.

This guide will show you how to approach room color selection thoughtfully, ensuring your home feels balanced, stylish, and connected.

Why Cohesion Matters

Imagine walking through a home where every room feels like its own separate world, with no regard for the spaces around it. It can feel chaotic and disjointed. Cohesion, on the other hand, gives your home harmony and balance. By deliberately choosing complementary colors, you create a visual story that takes shape as you move through your house.

A cohesive color palette can also make your home feel more spacious. Consistent tones and complementary shades trick the eye into seeing the house as a unified whole.

Tips for Creating a Cohesive Home Color Palette 

1. Start with a Base Color

Every cohesive color scheme starts with a neutral foundation. Your base color will set the mood and influence the palette for the rest of your home. Choose a color that feels approachable and versatile—think whites, beiges, grays, or even soft muted blues or greens.

This base color can appear across multiple rooms, tying the spaces together while allowing for more variety in accent shades.

2. Choose an Accent Palette

Once you’ve chosen your main color, think about accent colors that will complement it. These can be bolder shades or a mix of soft tones. Ideally, your accent colors should have the flexibility to work in different rooms.

For example:

  • A coral pink could be a standout hue in your living room but also subtly echo in your guest bedroom through decorative pillows or art.
  • A deep navy blue might take center stage in your dining room while appearing as a feature wall or cabinet color in your kitchen.

3. Use the 60-30-10 Rule

The 60-30-10 rule is a timeless interior design principle that helps you balance your color palette. Here’s how it works:

  • 60% Base Color: This should dominate the room—typically your wall color and larger furnishings.
  • 30% Secondary Color: This adds depth and contrast, used in upholstery, rugs, or curtains.
  • 10% Accent Color: This is your pop of personality, incorporated through decorative items like vases, artwork, or lampshades.

Apply this rule consistently across rooms to achieve a harmonious design while still allowing for individuality in each space.

4. Consider Room Functions and Moods

Think about how you use each room and the environment you want to create.

  • Living Rooms & Bedrooms: These are spaces for relaxation, so opt for calming and warm tones like dusty pinks, soft greens, or pastels.
  • Kitchens & Dining Rooms: Bright colors like yellow or vibrant hues such as teal work well to stimulate energy and appetite.
  • Home Offices: Blues and teals can nurture focus and productivity.

Try having each room’s color make subtle nods to the ones beside it, using shared hues or smooth transitions.

5. Leverage Open Spaces

If you have open-plan areas, using light and consistent colors on the walls can make the space feel airy and connected. Add visual interest with colored furniture, rugs, or accessories without overwhelming the space. For instance, a neutral base wall color can act as the canvas, while bold-colored sofas or a statement rug can inject personality.

6. Test Shades under Natural Light

Lighting plays a big part in how colors appear. Before committing to a shade, test samples in each room, observing how they change under both natural light and artificial lighting at different times of the day. This will ensure colors stay compatible as you move through your home.

7. Experiment with Finishes

Alongside colors, consider how paint finishes interact with each other across your rooms.

  • Use egg-shell or satin finishes in bedrooms and living spaces for a soft, velvety appearance.
  • Opt for semi-gloss finishes in bathrooms and kitchens for durability and easy cleaning.

Shiny finishes can bounce light between rooms, emphasizing the cohesion.

Practical Examples of Cohesive Color Pairings

Here are a few sample palettes to inspire your home’s transformation:

  • Neutral Tones with Pops of Color: Ivory walls, taupe accents, and a bold mustard yellow for decorative touches.
  • Cool and Calming Hues: Light gray base, soft blue accents, complemented by forest green cushions or throws.
  • Modern Monochromes: Deep charcoal walls in the dining area paired with lighter gray in adjacent rooms, adding white bedding or furniture for contrast.

Your Path to a Harmonious Home

Painting your home with other rooms in mind goes beyond aesthetics—it’s about creating a space that feels welcoming and balanced. By selecting colors that work together, anchored by shared tones and thoughtful accents, you’ll design a home that tells a story of unity and livable beauty.

Feeling a little daunted? Take it step by step—start with a base color, build a palette, and have fun experimenting! Remember, paint is one of the easiest ways to transform a home, so don’t be afraid to try something bold.

Share your cohesive color ideas—what palette are you considering for your living space? Leave a comment and tell us, or tag us on social media to show off your freshly painted rooms!

Matching Room Colors: Painting Your Home with Other Rooms in Mind

Creating a cohesive flow between the rooms in your home is essential for a polished and harmonious look. Whether you’re working with professional interior paint contractors or tackling a DIY project, choosing the right color palette can make all the difference. If you’re planning on revamping your space, this guide will show you how to think beyond individual rooms and design a home that feels unified.

Why Cohesion Matters in Home Design

Your home is more than just a collection of rooms—it’s a single, unified space. When the colors in your home complement each other, it creates a sense of balance and comfort. Whether your home is open-concept or divided into distinct areas, how one room’s colors transition to another plays a crucial role in the overall atmosphere of your space.

Cohesion doesn’t mean every room has to be painted the same color. Instead, it’s about ensuring that the colors work together to create an aesthetic flow. Think of your home as a painting, with each room acting as a brushstroke that contributes to the overall masterpiece.

5 Tips for Matching Room Colors 

1. Start with a Base Color

Every cohesive home palette begins with a base color. This could be a neutral tone that ties everything together, such as whites, grays, or beiges, or even a bold hue that reflects your personal style. Paint larger, connecting areas like hallways and entryways in the base color for harmony.

If you’re unsure where to start, many professional interior paint contractors, such as Peninsula Painting in Hamilton, recommend choosing a neutral base to allow pops of color to shine in individual rooms.

2. Choose an Accent Palette

An accent palette adds personality and interest to your spaces while staying in harmony with the base color. Pick 2-3 complementary shades that work seamlessly with your base. For example, if your base is a soft cream, your accent palette might include sage green, navy blue, and muted gold.

Use the accent colors thoughtfully to highlight specific rooms. For instance, you could paint the dining room a bold navy while incorporating sage in details throughout the living room.

3. Pay Attention to Room Function

When creating a cohesive color scheme, consider how each room functions. Bedrooms are retreats, so soothing tones like blues and greens work well. Living rooms and kitchens, on the other hand, often feature warmer, more inviting hues like yellows or light reds. However, maintaining a thread of consistency with your base color ensures each space still feels connected.

Working with experienced contractors like Peninsula Painting in Hamilton can help you balance functionality with aesthetics.

4. Use Color Flow Techniques

Color flow ensures smooth visual transitions between rooms. Open-concept spaces benefit from gradual changes between colors. For instance, you could use a gradient effect by starting with your base color in one area, transitioning to a lighter shade of the accent hue in another, and finishing with the bolder tone in a feature wall or focal point.

Consider adding decorative elements, such as rugs, curtains, and artwork, that repeat the same colors in different rooms.

5. Don’t Forget the Details

Colors are not just for walls. Paint choices for trim, moldings, doors, and ceilings can tie the whole design together. Crisp white trim often provides a clean frame for each room, uniting distinctly colored walls. Alternatively, a darker trim can create a dramatic effect while still being cohesive.

If you’re uncertain about the smaller details, professional painters, like Peninsula Painting, specialize in accentuating these elements to elevate your design.

Should You DIY or Hire Professionals?

While DIY painting projects can save you money and bring a personal touch to your home, they can also be time-consuming and tricky when aiming for perfect cohesion. Hiring professional interior paint contractors like Peninsula Painting in Hamilton ensures that the colors are applied correctly, transitions are seamless, and all details are expertly handled.

Final Touches for a Cohesive Look

Once your walls are painted and dry, the final step is to add decor that brings the palette to life. Throw pillows, artwork, and furniture should echo the tones in your paint choices without overwhelming the space. This layering of color will complete your look and make your home feel thoughtfully designed.

Transform Your Space Today

Matching room colors might seem challenging, but with a cohesive plan and the right team of professionals, you can create a beautiful, harmonious space you’ll love coming home to. If you need help choosing the perfect palette or are searching for expert interior painters, Peninsula Painting in Hamilton is here to turn your vision into reality.

Get started today and bring your dream home to life!

Matching Room Colors: Painting Your Home with Other Rooms in Mind

When it comes to painting your home, it’s easy to focus on one room at a time. But to truly create a cohesive look, it’s important to consider how each room’s color works alongside the others. Whether you’re a homeowner looking to revamp your space, an interior design enthusiast striving for harmony, or a DIYer ready to tackle a big project, thoughtful color coordination can elevate your home’s style and flow.

Why Consider a Cohesive Color Scheme?

A unified color palette throughout your home promotes a sense of balance, flow, and connection between spaces. By considering adjacent rooms when choosing paint colors, you can create a more polished and aesthetically pleasing environment. Without a coordinated approach, rooms can feel disjointed or chaotic.

Professionals, such as Peninsula Painting in Hamilton, emphasize the importance of a whole-home perspective when tackling interior painting. Their expert interior paint contractors understand how colors interact and how to maintain a sense of continuity across multiple rooms.

Steps to Match Room Colors in Your Home

To ensure your home has a cohesive appearance, follow these steps:

1. Establish a Base Color

Choose a neutral or foundational color to ground your home’s color palette. This base color might feature prominently in shared spaces like hallways, living rooms, or open-plan areas. A soft beige, a classic ivory, or a muted gray are excellent starting points as they pair easily with a variety of accent colors.

2. Choose a Complementary Palette

Once you’ve set your base color, choose complementary hues for individual rooms. These can introduce personality to different spaces while still tying back to your base color. For example:

  • A calming sage green in the bedroom can pair beautifully with a soft gray hallway.
  • A rich navy accent wall in the office contrasts beautifully with a neutral dining room.

3. Consider Color Flow

Walk from room to room and think about how the colors interact. Do they create a smooth transition? Picture your home as a story where each room contributes to the overall narrative. Repeating certain colors in small accents—like throw pillows, rugs, or wall art—can help tie the look together.

4. Use the 60-30-10 Rule

This classic design principle helps maintain balance without overwhelming the eye:

  • 60% of a room’s color should come from walls (or large areas) set in your dominant color.
  • 30% is for secondary colors (think furniture or key features).
  • 10% introduces bold accent colors to add interest.

This rule is perfect for guiding your choices and ensuring consistency across multiple rooms.

5. Test Paint Colors

Before committing to a color, test it under different lighting conditions in your space. Light plays a huge role in how colors appear. Professional interior paint contractors, like those from Peninsula Painting in Hamilton, often recommend sampling paints and observing them throughout the day to find what works best.

6. Highlight Architectural Features

Don’t forget to think about the unique architectural features in your home. Crown moldings, doors, or archways can be accentuated with colors or finishes that complement your palette. A glossy trim in a neutral tone can tie disparate rooms together seamlessly.

Hiring Experts for Interior Painting

While DIY projects are rewarding, hiring seasoned professionals can make a world of difference. Interior paint contractors, like Peninsula Painting in Hamilton, bring expertise to ensure impeccable results—not to mention saving you time and effort. Their skill in matching colors, applying high-quality finishes, and creating seamless transitions between rooms ensures your home looks its best.

Professional painters can also suggest colors or finishes that you may not have considered. Their experience with various color combinations and design trends gives them the ability to create polished, cohesive spaces that feel both stylish and personal.

Inspiration for Your Home

Looking for inspiration? Here are some color combinations to get you started:

  • Soft and Serene: A base of light gray paired with pale blue and white accents creates a calming, spa-like atmosphere.
  • Bold and Modern: A black and white scheme with pops of mustard yellow or crimson keeps things fresh and dynamic.
  • Warm and Inviting: Earthy tones like terracotta and olive green blend beautifully with soft tans and creams.

When painting your home with other rooms in mind, the key is to find balance while allowing each room to express its unique character. A cohesive color scheme can enhance visual flow, elevate your home’s aesthetic, and make every room feel connected.

Don’t stress if you’re overwhelmed by the thought of perfecting your palette! Consider working with experienced interior paint contractors, like Peninsula Painting in Hamilton, to ensure your space is both stylish and harmonious.

Are you ready to start your home transformation? Whether you’re tackling the project solo or with the help of professionals, remember to plan, test, and enjoy the process of creating a beautifully cohesive home.

https://www.peninsulapainting.ca

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *