diff --git a/config.example.toml b/config.example.toml
index 2cb09c80..e9571765 100644
--- a/config.example.toml
+++ b/config.example.toml
@@ -32,6 +32,12 @@ username_display = "username"
 indicator = "only-encrypted"
 indicator_location = "title|prompt"
 
+[settings.colors]
+message_state = "cyan"
+message_redacted = "245" # light gray
+# commented out because some terminals don't support truecolor
+#room_list_unread = "#ff55bb" # pink
+
 [settings.image_preview]
 protocol = { type = "sixel", filter = "Nearest" }
 size = { "width" = 66, "height" = 10 }
diff --git a/docs/iamb.5 b/docs/iamb.5
index 7e22199c..4904f69f 100644
--- a/docs/iamb.5
+++ b/docs/iamb.5
@@ -132,6 +132,12 @@ Specifying this object will replace the upstream defaults and possibly lead to u
 Possible keys and their effect are documented at:
 .br
 .Lk https://docs.rs/matrix-sdk/latest/matrix_sdk/media/struct.MediaRetentionPolicy.html#fields
+.It Sy colors
+Change the colors of different elements in
+.Sy iamb .
+See
+.Sx "COLORSCHEME"
+for details on the format.
 .It Sy default_markup
 Controls how text in the message bar is interpreted by default.
 Possible values are
@@ -365,6 +371,111 @@ and
 Both can be used via
 .Dq Sy title|prompt .
 .El
+.Sh COLORSCHEME
+The
+.Sy settings.colors
+subsection allows configuring the appearance of many elements.
+All settings take a color value that is either a named color, an 8-bit color value or a hex value.
+The named colors are:
+.Dq Sy black ,
+.Dq Sy red ,
+.Dq Sy green ,
+.Dq Sy yellow ,
+.Dq Sy blue ,
+.Dq Sy magenta ,
+.Dq Sy cyan ,
+.Dq Sy gray ,
+.Dq Sy dark-gray ,
+.Dq Sy light-red ,
+.Dq Sy light-green ,
+.Dq Sy light-yellow ,
+.Dq Sy light-blue ,
+.Dq Sy light-magenta ,
+.Dq Sy light-cyan ,
+.Dq Sy white ,
+and
+.Dq Sy reset ,
+The 8-bit ANSI color must in the range of 0 to 255 where the first 16 colors correspond to the named colors.
+The hex value is given as
+.Dq Sy #RRGGBB .
+If the terminal does not support truecolor, all hex colors will fall back to the default text color.
+All values must be given as a string.
+.Bl -tag -width Ds
+.It Sy border
+The border of the focused buffer.
+Defaults to the terminal foreground color.
+.It Sy border_unfocused
+The border of all unfocused buffers.
+Defaults to
+.Sy border .
+Note that this value is dimmed before use.
+.It Sy window_title
+The text at the top-left of the border.
+Defaults to the terminal foreground color.
+Note that this value is dimmed for unfocused buffers.
+.It Sy tab_title
+The active entry in the tab list.
+Defaults to the terminal foreground color.
+.It Sy tab_title_unfocused
+The inactive entries in the tab list.
+Defaults to
+.Sy tab_title .
+Note that this value is dimmed before use.
+.It Sy room_list
+Entry in a room list like the
+.Dq Sy :chats
+window.
+Defaults to the terminal foreground color.
+.It Sy room_list_unread
+Unread entry in a room list.
+Defaults to
+.Sy room_list .
+.It Sy message_time
+The timestamp to the right of messages.
+Defaults to the terminal foreground color.
+.It Sy message_date
+The date divider between different days in the message scrollback.
+Defaults to the terminal foreground color.
+Note that this value is used in bold with might make it brighter on some terminals.
+.It Sy message_normal
+The text color for text messages.
+Defaults to the terminal foreground color.
+.It Sy message_state
+The text color for state events like users joining rooms.
+Defaults to
+.Sy message_normal .
+.It Sy message_sticker
+The text color for stickers.
+Defaults to
+.Sy message_normal .
+.It Sy message_redacted
+The text color for redacted (deleted) messages.
+Defaults to
+.Sy message_normal .
+.It Sy message_poll
+The text color for polls.
+Defaults to
+.Sy message_normal .
+.It Sy message_notice
+The text color for automated messages.
+Defaults to
+.Sy message_state .
+.It Sy message_other
+The text color for other (mostly unsupported) message types.
+Defaults to
+.Sy message_normal .
+.It Sy codeblock_background
+Background color for code blocks in messages.
+Defaults to
+.Dq Sy 236
+(a dark shade of gray).
+.El
+.Ss Example: Make the code background a lighter gray and change the color of state events.
+.Bd -literal -offset indent
+[settings.colors]
+codeblock_background = "245"
+message_state = "cyan"
+.Ed
 .Sh IMAGE PREVIEWS
 The
 .Sy settings.image_preview
@@ -642,25 +753,9 @@ and are typically written as inline tables containing the following keys:
 Change the display name of the user.
 .It Sy color
 Change the color the user is shown as.
-Possible values are:
-.Dq Sy black ,
-.Dq Sy blue ,
-.Dq Sy cyan ,
-.Dq Sy dark-gray ,
-.Dq Sy gray ,
-.Dq Sy green ,
-.Dq Sy light-blue ,
-.Dq Sy light-cyan ,
-.Dq Sy light-green ,
-.Dq Sy light-magenta ,
-.Dq Sy light-red ,
-.Dq Sy light-yellow ,
-.Dq Sy magenta ,
-.Dq Sy none ,
-.Dq Sy red ,
-.Dq Sy white ,
-and
-.Dq Sy yellow .
+See the introduction of
+.Sx "COLORSCHEME"
+for the supported color format.
 .El
 .Ss Example 1: Override how @ada:example.com appears in chat
 .Bd -literal -offset indent
diff --git a/src/config.rs b/src/config.rs
index 19db80ed..ab589102 100644
--- a/src/config.rs
+++ b/src/config.rs
@@ -228,7 +228,6 @@ macro_rules! deserialize_str_with_visitor {
 
 deserialize_str_with_visitor!(Keys, KeysVisitor);
 deserialize_str_with_visitor!(VimModes, VimModesVisitor);
-deserialize_str_with_visitor!(UserColor, UserColorVisitor);
 deserialize_str_with_visitor!(EncryptionIndicatorLocation, EncryptionIndicatorLocationVisitor);
 deserialize_str_with_visitor!(NotifyVia, NotifyViaVisitor);
 deserialize_str_with_visitor!(ProxyUrl, ProxyUrlVisitor);
@@ -290,44 +289,6 @@ impl Visitor<'_> for VimModesVisitor {
     }
 }
 
-#[derive(Clone, Debug, Eq, PartialEq)]
-pub struct UserColor(pub Color);
-pub struct UserColorVisitor;
-
-impl Visitor<'_> for UserColorVisitor {
-    type Value = UserColor;
-
-    fn expecting(&self, formatter: &mut fmt::Formatter) -> fmt::Result {
-        formatter.write_str("a valid color")
-    }
-
-    fn visit_str<E>(self, value: &str) -> Result<Self::Value, E>
-    where
-        E: SerdeError,
-    {
-        match value {
-            "none" => Ok(UserColor(Color::Reset)),
-            "red" => Ok(UserColor(Color::Red)),
-            "black" => Ok(UserColor(Color::Black)),
-            "green" => Ok(UserColor(Color::Green)),
-            "yellow" => Ok(UserColor(Color::Yellow)),
-            "blue" => Ok(UserColor(Color::Blue)),
-            "magenta" => Ok(UserColor(Color::Magenta)),
-            "cyan" => Ok(UserColor(Color::Cyan)),
-            "gray" => Ok(UserColor(Color::Gray)),
-            "dark-gray" => Ok(UserColor(Color::DarkGray)),
-            "light-red" => Ok(UserColor(Color::LightRed)),
-            "light-green" => Ok(UserColor(Color::LightGreen)),
-            "light-yellow" => Ok(UserColor(Color::LightYellow)),
-            "light-blue" => Ok(UserColor(Color::LightBlue)),
-            "light-magenta" => Ok(UserColor(Color::LightMagenta)),
-            "light-cyan" => Ok(UserColor(Color::LightCyan)),
-            "white" => Ok(UserColor(Color::White)),
-            _ => Err(E::custom("Could not parse color")),
-        }
-    }
-}
-
 #[derive(Clone, Debug, Deserialize, Eq, PartialEq, Serialize)]
 pub struct Session {
     access_token: String,
@@ -364,7 +325,7 @@ impl From<MatrixSession> for Session {
 
 #[derive(Clone, Debug, Default, Deserialize, Eq, PartialEq)]
 pub struct UserDisplayTunables {
-    pub color: Option<UserColor>,
+    pub color: Option<Color>,
     pub name: Option<String>,
 }
 
@@ -758,6 +719,115 @@ pub struct ImagePreviewProtocolValues {
     pub font_size: Option<(u16, u16)>,
 }
 
+#[derive(Clone, Deserialize, Default, Debug)]
+pub struct Colorscheme {
+    pub border: Option<Color>,
+    pub border_unfocused: Option<Color>,
+    pub window_title: Option<Color>,
+    pub tab_title: Option<Color>,
+    pub tab_title_unfocused: Option<Color>,
+    pub room_list: Option<Color>,
+    pub room_list_unread: Option<Color>,
+    pub message_time: Option<Color>,
+    pub message_date: Option<Color>,
+    pub message_normal: Option<Color>,
+    pub message_state: Option<Color>,
+    pub message_sticker: Option<Color>,
+    pub message_redacted: Option<Color>,
+    pub message_poll: Option<Color>,
+    pub message_notice: Option<Color>,
+    pub message_other: Option<Color>,
+    pub codeblock_background: Option<Color>,
+}
+
+impl Colorscheme {
+    fn merge(self, other: Self) -> Self {
+        Self {
+            border: self.border.or(other.border),
+            border_unfocused: self.border_unfocused.or(other.border_unfocused),
+            window_title: self.window_title.or(other.window_title),
+            tab_title: self.tab_title.or(other.tab_title),
+            tab_title_unfocused: self.tab_title_unfocused.or(other.tab_title_unfocused),
+            room_list: self.room_list.or(other.room_list),
+            room_list_unread: self.room_list_unread.or(other.room_list_unread),
+            message_time: self.message_time.or(other.message_time),
+            message_date: self.message_date.or(other.message_date),
+            message_normal: self.message_normal.or(other.message_normal),
+            message_state: self.message_state.or(other.message_state),
+            message_sticker: self.message_state.or(other.message_sticker),
+            message_redacted: self.message_redacted.or(other.message_redacted),
+            message_poll: self.message_poll.or(other.message_poll),
+            message_notice: self.message_notice.or(other.message_notice),
+            message_other: self.message_other.or(other.message_other),
+            codeblock_background: self.codeblock_background.or(other.codeblock_background),
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+#[derive(Clone, Deserialize)]
+pub struct ColorschemeValues {
+    pub border: Style,
+    pub border_unfocused: Style,
+    pub window_title: Style,
+    pub tab_title: Style,
+    pub tab_title_unfocused: Style,
+    pub room_list: Style,
+    pub room_list_unread: Style,
+    pub message_time: Style,
+    pub message_date: Style,
+    pub message_normal: Style,
+    pub message_state: Style,
+    pub message_sticker: Style,
+    pub message_redacted: Style,
+    pub message_poll: Style,
+    pub message_notice: Style,
+    pub message_other: Style,
+    pub codeblock_background: Style,
+}
+
+impl Colorscheme {
+    pub fn values(self) -> ColorschemeValues {
+        let border = self.border.map(Into::into).unwrap_or_default();
+        let border_unfocused = self.border_unfocused.map(Into::into).unwrap_or(border);
+        let window_title = self.window_title.map(Into::into).unwrap_or_default();
+        let tab_title = self.tab_title.map(Into::into).unwrap_or_default();
+        let tab_title_unfocused = self.tab_title_unfocused.map(Into::into).unwrap_or(tab_title);
+        let room_list = self.room_list.map(Into::into).unwrap_or_default();
+        let room_list_unread = self.room_list_unread.map(Into::into).unwrap_or(room_list);
+        let message_time = self.message_time.map(Into::into).unwrap_or_default();
+        let message_date = self.message_date.map(Into::into).unwrap_or_default();
+        let message_normal = self.message_normal.map(Into::into).unwrap_or_default();
+        let message_state = self.message_state.map(Into::into).unwrap_or(message_normal);
+        let message_sticker = self.message_sticker.map(Into::into).unwrap_or(message_normal);
+        let message_redacted = self.message_redacted.map(Into::into).unwrap_or(message_normal);
+        let message_poll = self.message_poll.map(Into::into).unwrap_or(message_normal);
+        let message_notice = self.message_notice.map(Into::into).unwrap_or(message_state);
+        let message_other = self.message_other.map(Into::into).unwrap_or(message_normal);
+        let codeblock_background =
+            Style::new().bg(self.codeblock_background.unwrap_or(Color::Indexed(236)));
+
+        ColorschemeValues {
+            border,
+            border_unfocused,
+            window_title,
+            tab_title,
+            tab_title_unfocused,
+            room_list,
+            room_list_unread,
+            message_time,
+            message_date,
+            message_normal,
+            message_state,
+            message_sticker,
+            message_redacted,
+            message_poll,
+            message_notice,
+            message_other,
+            codeblock_background,
+        }
+    }
+}
+
 #[derive(Clone)]
 pub struct SortValues {
     pub chats: Vec<SortColumn<SortFieldRoom>>,
@@ -872,6 +942,7 @@ pub struct TunableValues {
     pub default_split: SplitDirection,
     pub ssl_verify: bool,
     pub cache_policy: MediaRetentionPolicy,
+    pub colors: ColorschemeValues,
 }
 
 #[derive(Clone, Debug, Default, Deserialize)]
@@ -927,6 +998,8 @@ pub struct Tunables {
     pub members_split: Option<SplitDirection>,
     pub default_split: Option<SplitDirection>,
     pub ssl_verify: Option<bool>,
+    #[serde(default)]
+    pub colors: Colorscheme,
     pub cache_policy: Option<MediaRetentionPolicy>,
 }
 
@@ -982,6 +1055,7 @@ impl Tunables {
             default_split: self.default_split.or(other.default_split),
             ssl_verify: self.ssl_verify.or(other.ssl_verify),
             cache_policy: self.cache_policy.or(other.cache_policy),
+            colors: self.colors.merge(other.colors),
         }
     }
 
@@ -1028,6 +1102,7 @@ impl Tunables {
             default_split: self.default_split.unwrap_or_default(),
             ssl_verify: self.ssl_verify.unwrap_or(true),
             cache_policy: self.cache_policy.unwrap_or_default(),
+            colors: self.colors.values(),
         }
     }
 }
@@ -1447,12 +1522,7 @@ impl ApplicationSettings {
             .tunables
             .users
             .get(user_id)
-            .map(|user| {
-                (
-                    user.color.as_ref().map(|c| c.0),
-                    user.name.as_ref().and_then(|s| s.chars().next()),
-                )
-            })
+            .map(|user| (user.color, user.name.as_ref().and_then(|s| s.chars().next())))
             .unwrap_or_default();
 
         let color = color.unwrap_or_else(|| user_color(user_id.as_str()));
@@ -1470,7 +1540,7 @@ impl ApplicationSettings {
         self.tunables
             .users
             .get(user_id)
-            .map(|user| (user.color.as_ref().map(|c| c.0), user.name.clone().map(Cow::Owned)))
+            .map(|user| (user.color, user.name.clone().map(Cow::Owned)))
             .unwrap_or_default()
     }
 
@@ -1478,7 +1548,7 @@ impl ApplicationSettings {
         self.tunables
             .users
             .get(user_id)
-            .and_then(|user| user.color.as_ref().map(|c| c.0))
+            .and_then(|user| user.color)
             .unwrap_or_else(|| user_color(user_id.as_str()))
     }
 
@@ -1555,13 +1625,13 @@ mod tests {
     fn test_merge_users() {
         let a = None;
         let b = vec![(user_id!("@a:b.c").to_owned(), UserDisplayTunables {
-            color: Some(UserColor(Color::Red)),
+            color: Some(Color::Red),
             name: Some("Hello".into()),
         })]
         .into_iter()
         .collect::<HashMap<_, _>>();
         let c = vec![(user_id!("@a:b.c").to_owned(), UserDisplayTunables {
-            color: Some(UserColor(Color::Green)),
+            color: Some(Color::Green),
             name: Some("World".into()),
         })]
         .into_iter()
@@ -1615,7 +1685,7 @@ mod tests {
         assert_eq!(res.typing_notice_send, None);
         assert_eq!(res.typing_notice_display, None);
         let users = vec![(user_id!("@a:b.c").to_owned(), UserDisplayTunables {
-            color: Some(UserColor(Color::Black)),
+            color: Some(Color::Black),
             name: Some("Tim".into()),
         })];
         assert_eq!(res.users, Some(users.into_iter().collect()));
diff --git a/src/main.rs b/src/main.rs
index 952b5fce..bf49fcf9 100644
--- a/src/main.rs
+++ b/src/main.rs
@@ -319,6 +319,7 @@ impl Application {
         let focused = self.focused;
         let sstate = &mut self.screen;
         let term = &mut self.terminal;
+        let colors = store.application.settings.tunables.colors.clone();
 
         if store.application.ring_bell {
             store.application.ring_bell = term.backend_mut().write_all(&[7]).is_err();
@@ -347,9 +348,10 @@ impl Application {
                 .show_dialog(dialogstr)
                 .show_mode(modestr)
                 .borders(true)
-                .border_style(Style::default().add_modifier(StyleModifier::DIM))
-                .tab_style(Style::default().add_modifier(StyleModifier::DIM))
-                .tab_style_focused(Style::default().remove_modifier(StyleModifier::DIM))
+                .border_style(colors.border_unfocused.add_modifier(StyleModifier::DIM))
+                .border_style_focused(colors.border.remove_modifier(StyleModifier::DIM))
+                .tab_style(colors.tab_title_unfocused.add_modifier(StyleModifier::DIM))
+                .tab_style_focused(colors.tab_title.remove_modifier(StyleModifier::DIM))
                 .focus(focused);
             f.render_stateful_widget(screen, area, sstate);
 
diff --git a/src/message/html.rs b/src/message/html.rs
index 1bce6a39..32deda59 100644
--- a/src/message/html.rs
+++ b/src/message/html.rs
@@ -368,7 +368,13 @@ impl StyleTreeNode {
                 }
             },
             StyleTreeNode::Code(child, _) => {
+                let style = style.patch(printer.settings().tunables.colors.codeblock_background);
+
+                let old_style = printer.replace_base_style(style);
+
                 child.print(printer, style);
+
+                printer.replace_base_style(old_style);
             },
             StyleTreeNode::Header(child, level) => {
                 let style = style.add_modifier(StyleModifier::BOLD);
@@ -1446,6 +1452,7 @@ pub mod tests {
     fn test_pre_tag() {
         let info = mock_room();
         let settings = mock_settings();
+        let code_style = settings.tunables.colors.codeblock_background;
         let s = concat!(
             "<pre><code class=\"language-rust\">",
             "fn hello() -&gt; usize {\n",
@@ -1469,19 +1476,19 @@ pub mod tests {
             text.lines[1],
             Line::from(vec![
                 Span::raw(line::VERTICAL),
-                Span::raw("fn"),
-                Span::raw(" "),
-                Span::raw("hello"),
-                Span::raw("("),
-                Span::raw(")"),
-                Span::raw(" "),
-                Span::raw("-"),
-                Span::raw(">"),
-                Span::raw(" "),
-                Span::raw("usize"),
-                Span::raw(" "),
-                Span::raw("{"),
-                Span::raw("  "),
+                Span::styled("fn", code_style),
+                Span::styled(" ", code_style),
+                Span::styled("hello", code_style),
+                Span::styled("(", code_style),
+                Span::styled(")", code_style),
+                Span::styled(" ", code_style),
+                Span::styled("-", code_style),
+                Span::styled(">", code_style),
+                Span::styled(" ", code_style),
+                Span::styled("usize", code_style),
+                Span::styled(" ", code_style),
+                Span::styled("{", code_style),
+                Span::styled("  ", code_style),
                 Span::raw(line::VERTICAL)
             ])
         );
@@ -1489,13 +1496,13 @@ pub mod tests {
             text.lines[2],
             Line::from(vec![
                 Span::raw(line::VERTICAL),
-                Span::raw(" "),
-                Span::raw("   "),
-                Span::raw("/"),
-                Span::raw("/"),
-                Span::raw(" "),
-                Span::raw("weired"),
-                Span::raw("          "),
+                Span::styled(" ", code_style),
+                Span::styled("   ", code_style),
+                Span::styled("/", code_style),
+                Span::styled("/", code_style),
+                Span::styled(" ", code_style),
+                Span::styled("weired", code_style),
+                Span::styled("          ", code_style),
                 Span::raw(line::VERTICAL)
             ])
         );
@@ -1503,12 +1510,12 @@ pub mod tests {
             text.lines[3],
             Line::from(vec![
                 Span::raw(line::VERTICAL),
-                Span::raw("    "),
-                Span::raw("return"),
-                Span::raw(" "),
-                Span::raw("5"),
-                Span::raw(";"),
-                Span::raw("          "),
+                Span::styled("    ", code_style),
+                Span::styled("return", code_style),
+                Span::styled(" ", code_style),
+                Span::styled("5", code_style),
+                Span::styled(";", code_style),
+                Span::styled("          ", code_style),
                 Span::raw(line::VERTICAL)
             ])
         );
@@ -1516,8 +1523,8 @@ pub mod tests {
             text.lines[4],
             Line::from(vec![
                 Span::raw(line::VERTICAL),
-                Span::raw("}"),
-                Span::raw(" ".repeat(22)),
+                Span::styled("}", code_style),
+                Span::styled(" ".repeat(22), code_style),
                 Span::raw(line::VERTICAL)
             ])
         );
diff --git a/src/message/mod.rs b/src/message/mod.rs
index a3497e12..2c131b60 100644
--- a/src/message/mod.rs
+++ b/src/message/mod.rs
@@ -117,14 +117,6 @@ const fn span_static(s: &'static str) -> Span<'static> {
     }
 }
 
-const BOLD_STYLE: Style = Style {
-    fg: None,
-    bg: None,
-    add_modifier: StyleModifier::BOLD,
-    sub_modifier: StyleModifier::empty(),
-    underline_color: None,
-};
-
 const TIME_GUTTER: usize = 12;
 const READ_GUTTER: usize = 5;
 const MIN_MSG_LEN: usize = 30;
@@ -228,10 +220,10 @@ impl MessageTimeStamp {
         dt1.date_naive() == dt2.date_naive()
     }
 
-    fn show_date(self) -> Span<'static> {
+    fn show_date(self, settings: &ApplicationSettings) -> Span<'static> {
         let time = self.as_datetime().format("%A, %B %d %Y").to_string();
 
-        Span::styled(time, BOLD_STYLE)
+        Span::styled(time, settings.tunables.colors.message_date.add_modifier(StyleModifier::BOLD))
     }
 
     /// A compact date and time, for places without a date separator line.
@@ -239,11 +231,11 @@ impl MessageTimeStamp {
         self.as_datetime().format("%Y-%m-%d %H:%M").to_string()
     }
 
-    fn show_time(self) -> Span<'static> {
+    fn show_time(self, settings: &ApplicationSettings) -> Span<'static> {
         let time = self.as_datetime().format("%T");
         let time = format!("  [{time}]");
 
-        Span::raw(time)
+        Span::styled(time, settings.tunables.colors.message_time)
     }
 }
 
@@ -492,6 +484,35 @@ impl MessageEvent {
         self.msgtype().and_then(content_filename)
     }
 
+    fn message_style(&self, settings: &ApplicationSettings) -> Style {
+        let content = match self {
+            MessageEvent::EncryptedOriginal(_) | MessageEvent::EncryptedRedacted(_) => {
+                return settings.tunables.colors.message_other;
+            },
+            MessageEvent::Redacted(..) => return settings.tunables.colors.message_redacted,
+            MessageEvent::State(_) => return settings.tunables.colors.message_state,
+            MessageEvent::Original(ev, _) => &ev.content,
+            MessageEvent::Local(_, _, content) => content,
+            MessageEvent::Sticker(..) => return settings.tunables.colors.message_sticker,
+            MessageEvent::Poll(..) | MessageEvent::UnstablePoll(..) => {
+                return settings.tunables.colors.message_poll;
+            },
+        };
+
+        match &content.msgtype {
+            MessageType::Text(_) |
+            MessageType::Audio(_) |
+            MessageType::Emote(_) |
+            MessageType::File(_) |
+            MessageType::Image(_) |
+            MessageType::Video(_) => settings.tunables.colors.message_normal,
+            MessageType::Notice(_) | MessageType::ServerNotice(_) => {
+                settings.tunables.colors.message_notice
+            },
+            _ => settings.tunables.colors.message_other,
+        }
+    }
+
     fn redact(&mut self, redaction: SyncRoomRedactionEvent) {
         match self {
             MessageEvent::EncryptedOriginal(_) => return,
@@ -819,7 +840,7 @@ impl<'a> MessageFormatter<'a> {
         let reply_style = if settings.tunables.message_user_color {
             style.patch(settings.get_user_color(&msg.sender))
         } else {
-            style
+            style.patch(msg.event.message_style(settings))
         };
 
         let width = self.width();
@@ -932,14 +953,13 @@ impl<'a> MessageFormatter<'a> {
         protos
     }
 
-    fn push_thread_reply_count(&mut self, len: usize, text: &mut Text<'a>) {
+    fn push_thread_reply_count(&mut self, len: usize, text: &mut Text<'a>, style: Style) {
         if len == 0 {
             return;
         }
 
         // If we have threaded replies to this message, show how many.
         let plural = len != 1;
-        let style = Style::default();
         let mut threaded =
             printer::TextPrinter::new(self.width(), style, self.settings, self.info).literal(true);
         let len = Span::styled(len.to_string(), style.add_modifier(StyleModifier::BOLD));
@@ -1055,7 +1075,7 @@ impl Message {
     }
 
     fn get_render_style(&self, selected: bool, settings: &ApplicationSettings) -> Style {
-        let mut style = Style::default();
+        let mut style = self.event.message_style(settings);
 
         if selected {
             style = style.add_modifier(StyleModifier::REVERSED)
@@ -1133,7 +1153,7 @@ impl Message {
         settings: &'a ApplicationSettings,
     ) -> MessageFormatter<'a> {
         let orig = width;
-        let date = self.show_date(prev).then(|| self.timestamp.show_date());
+        let date = self.show_date(prev).then(|| self.timestamp.show_date(settings));
         let trackbar = self.show_trackbar(prev, info, settings);
         let user_gutter = settings.tunables.user_gutter_width;
 
@@ -1143,7 +1163,7 @@ impl Message {
             let cols = MessageColumns::Four;
             let fill = width - user_gutter - TIME_GUTTER - READ_GUTTER;
             let user = self.show_sender(prev, true, info, settings, width);
-            let time = Some(self.timestamp.show_time());
+            let time = Some(self.timestamp.show_time(settings));
 
             let read = self
                 .event
@@ -1176,7 +1196,7 @@ impl Message {
             let cols = MessageColumns::Three;
             let fill = width - user_gutter - TIME_GUTTER;
             let user = self.show_sender(prev, true, info, settings, width);
-            let time = Some(self.timestamp.show_time());
+            let time = Some(self.timestamp.show_time(settings));
             let read = Vec::new();
 
             MessageFormatter {
@@ -1323,7 +1343,7 @@ impl Message {
         }
 
         if let Some(thread) = self.event.event_id().and_then(|id| info.get_thread(Some(id))) {
-            fmt.push_thread_reply_count(thread.len(), &mut text);
+            fmt.push_thread_reply_count(thread.len(), &mut text, style);
         }
 
         (text, protos)
diff --git a/src/message/printer.rs b/src/message/printer.rs
index 83b6dca3..26ddb24d 100644
--- a/src/message/printer.rs
+++ b/src/message/printer.rs
@@ -69,6 +69,11 @@ impl<'a> TextPrinter<'a> {
         self
     }
 
+    /// Set the base style and return the old style.
+    pub fn replace_base_style(&mut self, style: Style) -> Style {
+        std::mem::replace(&mut self.base_style, style)
+    }
+
     /// Indicates whether emojis should be replaced by shortcodes
     pub fn emoji_shortcodes(&self) -> bool {
         self.tunables().message_shortcode_display
diff --git a/src/tests.rs b/src/tests.rs
index 4a62bebd..98349df9 100644
--- a/src/tests.rs
+++ b/src/tests.rs
@@ -178,7 +178,7 @@ pub fn mock_tunables() -> TunableValues {
         typing_notice_send: true,
         typing_notice_display: true,
         users: vec![(TEST_USER5.clone(), UserDisplayTunables {
-            color: Some(UserColor(Color::Black)),
+            color: Some(Color::Black),
             name: Some("USER 5".into()),
         })]
         .into_iter()
@@ -201,6 +201,7 @@ pub fn mock_tunables() -> TunableValues {
         default_split: Default::default(),
         ssl_verify: true,
         cache_policy: Default::default(),
+        colors: Colorscheme::default().values(),
     }
 }
 
diff --git a/src/windows/mod.rs b/src/windows/mod.rs
index 286d19c1..3fa55d68 100644
--- a/src/windows/mod.rs
+++ b/src/windows/mod.rs
@@ -31,26 +31,21 @@ pub mod welcome;
 const MEMBER_FETCH_DEBOUNCE: Duration = Duration::from_secs(5);
 
 #[inline]
-fn bold_style() -> Style {
-    Style::default().add_modifier(StyleModifier::BOLD)
+fn bold_span(s: &str, style: Style) -> Span<'_> {
+    Span::styled(s, style.bold())
 }
 
 #[inline]
-fn bold_span(s: &str) -> Span<'_> {
-    Span::styled(s, bold_style())
+fn bold_spans(s: &str, style: Style) -> Line<'_> {
+    bold_span(s, style).into()
 }
 
 #[inline]
-fn bold_spans(s: &str) -> Line<'_> {
-    bold_span(s).into()
-}
-
-#[inline]
-pub fn selected_style(selected: bool) -> Style {
+pub fn selected_style(selected: bool, style: Style) -> Style {
     if selected {
-        Style::default().add_modifier(StyleModifier::REVERSED)
+        style.add_modifier(StyleModifier::REVERSED)
     } else {
-        Style::default()
+        style
     }
 }
 
@@ -409,8 +404,11 @@ impl IambWindow {
 }
 
 pub type MemberListState = ListState<MemberItem, IambInfo>;
+
 pub type PinnedListState = ListState<PinnedItem, IambInfo>;
+
 pub type RoomListState = ListState<GenericRoomItem, IambInfo>;
+
 pub type VerifyListState = ListState<VerifyItem, IambInfo>;
 
 impl From<RoomState> for IambWindow {
@@ -783,24 +781,25 @@ impl Window<IambInfo> for IambWindow {
     }
 
     fn get_tab_title(&self, store: &mut ProgramStore) -> Line<'_> {
+        let style = Default::default();
         match self {
-            IambWindow::DirectList(_) => bold_spans("Direct Messages"),
-            IambWindow::RoomList(_) => bold_spans("Rooms"),
-            IambWindow::SpaceList(_) => bold_spans("Spaces"),
-            IambWindow::VerifyList(_) => bold_spans("Verifications"),
-            IambWindow::Welcome(_) => bold_spans("Welcome to iamb"),
-            IambWindow::ChatList(_) => bold_spans("DMs & Rooms"),
-            IambWindow::UnreadList(_) => bold_spans("Unread Messages"),
-            IambWindow::MentionsList(_) => bold_spans("Unread Mentions"),
-            IambWindow::InvitesList(_) => bold_spans("Open Invites"),
+            IambWindow::DirectList(_) => bold_spans("Direct Messages", style),
+            IambWindow::RoomList(_) => bold_spans("Rooms", style),
+            IambWindow::SpaceList(_) => bold_spans("Spaces", style),
+            IambWindow::VerifyList(_) => bold_spans("Verifications", style),
+            IambWindow::Welcome(_) => bold_spans("Welcome to iamb", style),
+            IambWindow::ChatList(_) => bold_spans("DMs & Rooms", style),
+            IambWindow::UnreadList(_) => bold_spans("Unread Messages", style),
+            IambWindow::MentionsList(_) => bold_spans("Unread Mentions", style),
+            IambWindow::InvitesList(_) => bold_spans("Open Invites", style),
 
             IambWindow::Room(w) => w.get_tab_title(store),
             IambWindow::MemberList(state, room_id, _) => {
                 let title = store.application.get_room_title(room_id.as_ref());
                 let n = state.len();
                 let v = vec![
-                    bold_span("Room Members "),
-                    Span::styled(format!("({n}): "), bold_style()),
+                    bold_span("Room Members ", style),
+                    Span::styled(format!("({n}): "), style.bold()),
                     title.into(),
                 ];
                 Line::from(v)
@@ -809,8 +808,8 @@ impl Window<IambInfo> for IambWindow {
                 let title = store.application.get_room_title(room_id.as_ref());
                 let n = state.len();
                 let v = vec![
-                    bold_span("Pinned Messages "),
-                    Span::styled(format!("({n}): "), bold_style()),
+                    bold_span("Pinned Messages ", style),
+                    Span::styled(format!("({n}): "), style.bold()),
                     title.into(),
                 ];
                 Line::from(v)
@@ -819,24 +818,25 @@ impl Window<IambInfo> for IambWindow {
     }
 
     fn get_win_title(&self, store: &mut ProgramStore) -> Line<'_> {
+        let style = store.application.settings.tunables.colors.window_title;
         match self {
-            IambWindow::DirectList(_) => bold_spans("Direct Messages"),
-            IambWindow::RoomList(_) => bold_spans("Rooms"),
-            IambWindow::SpaceList(_) => bold_spans("Spaces"),
-            IambWindow::VerifyList(_) => bold_spans("Verifications"),
-            IambWindow::Welcome(_) => bold_spans("Welcome to iamb"),
-            IambWindow::ChatList(_) => bold_spans("DMs & Rooms"),
-            IambWindow::UnreadList(_) => bold_spans("Unread Messages"),
-            IambWindow::MentionsList(_) => bold_spans("Unread Mentions"),
-            IambWindow::InvitesList(_) => bold_spans("Open Invites"),
-
-            IambWindow::Room(w) => w.get_title(store),
+            IambWindow::DirectList(_) => bold_spans("Direct Messages", style),
+            IambWindow::RoomList(_) => bold_spans("Rooms", style),
+            IambWindow::SpaceList(_) => bold_spans("Spaces", style),
+            IambWindow::VerifyList(_) => bold_spans("Verifications", style),
+            IambWindow::Welcome(_) => bold_spans("Welcome to iamb", style),
+            IambWindow::ChatList(_) => bold_spans("DMs & Rooms", style),
+            IambWindow::UnreadList(_) => bold_spans("Unread Messages", style),
+            IambWindow::MentionsList(_) => bold_spans("Unread Mentions", style),
+            IambWindow::InvitesList(_) => bold_spans("Open Invites", style),
+
+            IambWindow::Room(w) => w.get_title(store, style),
             IambWindow::MemberList(state, room_id, _) => {
                 let title = store.application.get_room_title(room_id.as_ref());
                 let n = state.len();
                 let v = vec![
-                    bold_span("Room Members "),
-                    Span::styled(format!("({n}): "), bold_style()),
+                    bold_span("Room Members ", style),
+                    Span::styled(format!("({n}): "), style.bold()),
                     title.into(),
                 ];
                 Line::from(v)
@@ -845,8 +845,8 @@ impl Window<IambInfo> for IambWindow {
                 let title = store.application.get_room_title(room_id.as_ref());
                 let n = state.len();
                 let v = vec![
-                    bold_span("Pinned Messages "),
-                    Span::styled(format!("({n}): "), bold_style()),
+                    bold_span("Pinned Messages ", style),
+                    Span::styled(format!("({n}): "), style.bold()),
                     title.into(),
                 ];
                 Line::from(v)
@@ -1084,9 +1084,15 @@ impl ListItem<IambInfo> for GenericRoomItem {
         &self,
         selected: bool,
         _: &ViewportContext<ListCursor>,
-        _: &mut ProgramStore,
+        store: &mut ProgramStore,
     ) -> Text<'_> {
-        let style = selected_style(selected);
+        let style = if self.unread.is_unread() {
+            store.application.settings.tunables.colors.room_list_unread
+        } else {
+            store.application.settings.tunables.colors.room_list
+        };
+
+        let style = selected_style(selected, style);
         let (name, mut labels) = name_and_labels(&self.name, &self.unread, self.membership, style);
         let mut spans = vec![name];
 
diff --git a/src/windows/room/mod.rs b/src/windows/room/mod.rs
index e45f019f..3233adf2 100644
--- a/src/windows/room/mod.rs
+++ b/src/windows/room/mod.rs
@@ -891,14 +891,14 @@ impl RoomState {
         }
     }
 
-    pub fn get_title(&self, store: &mut ProgramStore) -> Line<'_> {
+    pub fn get_title(&self, store: &mut ProgramStore, style: Style) -> Line<'_> {
         let Some(room) = self.room() else {
             return Line::from("Unjoined Room");
         };
 
         let room_id = room.room_id();
         let title = store.application.get_room_title(room_id);
-        let style = Style::default().add_modifier(StyleModifier::BOLD);
+        let bold_style = style.add_modifier(StyleModifier::BOLD);
         let mut spans = vec![];
 
         let encryption_settings = &store.application.settings.tunables.encryption;
@@ -910,16 +910,16 @@ impl RoomState {
         if let RoomState::Chat(chat) = self &&
             chat.thread().is_some()
         {
-            spans.push("Thread in ".into());
+            spans.push(Span::styled("Thread in ", style));
         }
 
-        spans.push(Span::styled(title, style));
+        spans.push(Span::styled(title, bold_style));
 
         match room.topic() {
             Some(desc) if !desc.is_empty() => {
-                spans.push(" (".into());
-                spans.push(desc.into());
-                spans.push(")".into());
+                spans.push(Span::styled(" (", style));
+                spans.push(Span::styled(desc, style));
+                spans.push(Span::styled(")", style));
             },
             _ => {
                 spans.push(" ".into());
diff --git a/src/windows/verify.rs b/src/windows/verify.rs
index cfebe07e..0b5531b8 100644
--- a/src/windows/verify.rs
+++ b/src/windows/verify.rs
@@ -140,9 +140,8 @@ impl ListItem<IambInfo> for VerifyItem {
         store: &mut ProgramStore,
     ) -> Text<'_> {
         let mut lines = vec![];
-        let bold = Style::default().add_modifier(StyleModifier::BOLD);
-        let selected_bold = super::selected_style(selected).add_modifier(StyleModifier::BOLD);
-        let selected = super::selected_style(selected);
+        let bold = Style::default().bold();
+        let selected = super::selected_style(selected, Default::default());
 
         let mut other_device = None;
         let state = match self.request.state() {
@@ -277,13 +276,13 @@ impl ListItem<IambInfo> for VerifyItem {
                 if let Some(display_name) = device.display_name() {
                     vec![
                         Span::styled("Device verification with ", selected),
-                        Span::styled(display_name.to_owned(), selected_bold),
+                        Span::styled(display_name.to_owned(), selected.bold()),
                         Span::styled(format!(" ({state})"), selected),
                     ]
                 } else {
                     vec![
                         Span::styled("Device verification with ", selected),
-                        Span::styled(device.device_id().to_string(), selected_bold),
+                        Span::styled(device.device_id().to_string(), selected.bold()),
                         Span::styled(format!(" ({state})"), selected),
                     ]
                 }
@@ -297,7 +296,7 @@ impl ListItem<IambInfo> for VerifyItem {
             let color = store.application.settings.get_user_color(self.request.other_user_id());
             vec![
                 Span::styled("User verification with ", selected),
-                Span::styled(self.request.other_user_id().as_str(), selected_bold.patch(color)),
+                Span::styled(self.request.other_user_id().as_str(), selected.bold().patch(color)),
                 Span::styled(format!(" ({state})"), selected),
             ]
         };