diff --git a/assets/brand/default-bg.jpg b/assets/brand/default-bg.jpg
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..acd7b90a
Binary files /dev/null and b/assets/brand/default-bg.jpg differ
diff --git a/crates/chat_ui/src/lib.rs b/crates/chat_ui/src/lib.rs
index 7325fcf8..a1946fd6 100644
--- a/crates/chat_ui/src/lib.rs
+++ b/crates/chat_ui/src/lib.rs
@@ -9,8 +9,8 @@ use common::{TimestampExt, emojis_from_tags};
 use gpui::prelude::FluentBuilder;
 use gpui::{
     AnyElement, App, AppContext, ClipboardItem, Context, Entity, EventEmitter, FocusHandle,
-    Focusable, InteractiveElement, IntoElement, ListAlignment, ListOffset, ListState, MouseButton,
-    ObjectFit, ParentElement, PathPromptOptions, Render, SharedString, SharedUri,
+    Focusable, ImageSource, InteractiveElement, IntoElement, ListAlignment, ListOffset, ListState,
+    MouseButton, ObjectFit, ParentElement, PathPromptOptions, Render, SharedString, SharedUri,
     StatefulInteractiveElement, Styled, StyledImage, Subscription, SystemNotification,
     SystemNotificationAction, Task, WeakEntity, Window, div, img, list, px, red, relative,
     retain_all, svg, white,
@@ -1846,6 +1846,10 @@ impl Panel for ChatPanel {
                 }),
         ]
     }
+
+    fn background(&self, cx: &App) -> Option<ImageSource> {
+        AppSettings::panel_background_source(cx)
+    }
 }
 
 impl EventEmitter<PanelEvent> for ChatPanel {}
diff --git a/crates/nip29_ui/src/lib.rs b/crates/nip29_ui/src/lib.rs
index 71c550e4..bf289cbd 100644
--- a/crates/nip29_ui/src/lib.rs
+++ b/crates/nip29_ui/src/lib.rs
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@ use chat_ui::text::rendered_text;
 use gpui::prelude::FluentBuilder;
 use gpui::{
     Action, AnyElement, App, AppContext, Context, Entity, EventEmitter, FocusHandle, Focusable,
-    FollowMode, IntoElement, ListAlignment, ListScrollEvent, ListState, ParentElement,
+    FollowMode, ImageSource, IntoElement, ListAlignment, ListScrollEvent, ListState, ParentElement,
     PathPromptOptions, Render, SharedString, Styled, Subscription, Task, WeakEntity, Window, div,
     list, px,
 };
@@ -1172,6 +1172,10 @@ impl Panel for GroupPanel {
         Vec::new()
     }
 
+    fn background(&self, cx: &App) -> Option<ImageSource> {
+        AppSettings::panel_background_source(cx)
+    }
+
     fn set_active(&self, active: bool, window: &mut Window, cx: &mut App) {
         let Some(group) = self.group.upgrade() else {
             return;
diff --git a/crates/settings/src/lib.rs b/crates/settings/src/lib.rs
index 1ca73d86..a571f4f5 100644
--- a/crates/settings/src/lib.rs
+++ b/crates/settings/src/lib.rs
@@ -1,6 +1,8 @@
+use std::path::PathBuf;
+
 use anyhow::{Error, anyhow};
 use common::config_dir;
-use gpui::{App, AppContext, Context, Entity, Global, Subscription, Task};
+use gpui::{App, AppContext, Context, Entity, Global, ImageSource, Subscription, Task};
 use nostr_sdk::prelude::*;
 use serde::{Deserialize, Serialize};
 use smallvec::{SmallVec, smallvec};
@@ -12,6 +14,8 @@ pub fn init(cx: &mut App) {
 
 const DEFAULT_FILE_SERVER: &str = "https://nostr.download/";
 const LEGACY_FILE_SERVER: &str = "blossom.band";
+/// Built-in image shown behind chat and group panels
+pub const DEFAULT_BACKGROUND: &str = "brand/default-bg.jpg";
 
 macro_rules! setting_accessors {
     ($(pub $field:ident: $type:ty),* $(,)?) => {
@@ -56,6 +60,8 @@ setting_accessors! {
     pub screening: bool,
     pub nip4e: bool,
     pub file_server: Url,
+    pub panel_background: bool,
+    pub panel_background_path: Option<PathBuf>,
 }
 
 setting_getters! {
@@ -114,12 +120,8 @@ impl RoomConfig {
     }
 }
 
-/// Settings
 #[derive(Debug, Clone, Serialize, Deserialize)]
 pub struct Settings {
-    /// Which appearance to paint: follow the OS, or pin light or dark.
-    /// `alias` reads the pre-bezel `theme_mode` key so old config files keep
-    /// their pinned choice.
     #[serde(default, alias = "theme_mode")]
     pub appearance_mode: AppearanceMode,
 
@@ -132,6 +134,14 @@ pub struct Settings {
     /// Enable decoupling encryption key
     pub nip4e: bool,
 
+    /// Show an image behind chat and group panels
+    #[serde(default)]
+    pub panel_background: bool,
+
+    /// Custom image for the panel background; the built-in one when unset
+    #[serde(default)]
+    pub panel_background_path: Option<PathBuf>,
+
     /// Trusted relays; Coop will automatically authenticate with these relays
     pub trusted_relays: Vec<String>,
 
@@ -154,6 +164,8 @@ impl Default for Settings {
             hide_avatar: false,
             screening: true,
             nip4e: false,
+            panel_background: true,
+            panel_background_path: None,
             trusted_relays: vec![],
             file_server: Url::parse(DEFAULT_FILE_SERVER).unwrap(),
             pinned_rooms: vec![],
@@ -272,6 +284,17 @@ impl AppSettings {
         self.inner.read(cx).nip4e
     }
 
+    /// The image to show behind chat and group panels, when enabled
+    pub fn panel_background_source(cx: &App) -> Option<ImageSource> {
+        if !Self::get_panel_background(cx) {
+            return None;
+        }
+        Some(match Self::get_panel_background_path(cx) {
+            Some(path) => path.into(),
+            None => DEFAULT_BACKGROUND.into(),
+        })
+    }
+
     /// Check if the chat room is pinned
     pub fn pinned_room(&self, id: u64, cx: &App) -> bool {
         self.inner.read(cx).pinned_rooms.contains(&id)
diff --git a/crates/ui/src/dock/mod.rs b/crates/ui/src/dock/mod.rs
index 73a79e99..785c456a 100644
--- a/crates/ui/src/dock/mod.rs
+++ b/crates/ui/src/dock/mod.rs
@@ -6,10 +6,10 @@ use std::sync::Arc;
 use gpui::prelude::FluentBuilder as _;
 use gpui::{
     AnyElement, AnyView, App, AppContext as _, Bounds, Context, Div, Empty, Entity,
-    GlobalElementId, InspectorElementId, InteractiveElement as _, IntoElement, LayoutId,
-    MouseButton, MouseMoveEvent, MouseUpEvent, ParentElement as _, Pixels, Render, ScrollHandle,
-    SharedString, Stateful, StatefulInteractiveElement as _, Style, StyleRefinement, Styled as _,
-    WeakEntity, Window, actions, div, px,
+    GlobalElementId, ImageSource, InspectorElementId, InteractiveElement as _, IntoElement,
+    LayoutId, MouseButton, MouseMoveEvent, MouseUpEvent, ParentElement as _, Pixels, Render,
+    ScrollHandle, SharedString, Stateful, StatefulInteractiveElement as _, Style, StyleRefinement,
+    Styled as _, WeakEntity, Window, actions, div, px,
 };
 pub use gpui_base::dock::{DockArea, DockLayout, DockPlacement};
 use gpui_base::dock::{
@@ -24,7 +24,7 @@ use crate::resizable::{resize_handle, resize_handle_appearance};
 use crate::tab::Tab;
 use crate::tab::tab_bar::TabBar;
 use crate::title_bar::{TRAFFIC_LIGHT_PADDING, title_bar_drag_handlers, window_controls};
-use crate::{IconName, Selectable, Sizable, StyledExt, h_flex, v_flex};
+use crate::{IconName, Selectable, Sizable, StyledExt, background, h_flex, v_flex};
 
 mod panel;
 pub use panel::*;
@@ -431,6 +431,11 @@ impl TabGroupSkin {
         let tabs_count = group.panels().len();
         let is_title_bar = self.is_title_bar_group(group, cx);
 
+        let wallpaper = group
+            .active_panel()
+            .and_then(|panel| panel_background(panel, cx))
+            .is_some();
+
         let displayed = group.active_panel().map(|panel| panel.panel_id(cx));
         let displayed_ix = displayed.and_then(|displayed| {
             group
@@ -467,7 +472,7 @@ impl TabGroupSkin {
         let bar = TabBar::new("tab-bar")
             .track_scroll(&self.scroll_handle)
             .h(TABBAR_HEIGHT)
-            .bg(cx.theme().bg)
+            .when(!wallpaper, |this| this.bg(cx.theme().bg))
             .when(needs_traffic_light_padding, |this| {
                 this.pl(px(TRAFFIC_LIGHT_PADDING))
             })
@@ -569,7 +574,7 @@ impl TabGroupSkin {
             h_flex()
                 .h(TABBAR_HEIGHT)
                 .w_full()
-                .bg(cx.theme().bg)
+                .when(!wallpaper, |this| this.bg(cx.theme().bg))
                 .child(bar.flex_1())
                 .child(window_controls())
                 .into_any_element()
@@ -647,23 +652,31 @@ impl TabGroupSkin {
 }
 
 impl TabGroupRenderer for TabGroupSkin {
-    fn frame(&self, group: &TabGroupContext, _: &mut Window, _cx: &mut App) -> Stateful<Div> {
-        div().id("tab-panel").when(!group.is_collapsed(), |this| {
-            this.on_action({
-                let group = TabGroupContext::clone(group);
-                move |_: &ToggleZoom, window, cx| group.toggle_zoom(window, cx)
+    fn frame(&self, group: &TabGroupContext, _: &mut Window, cx: &mut App) -> Stateful<Div> {
+        let wallpaper = group
+            .active_panel()
+            .and_then(|panel| panel_background(panel, cx));
+
+        div()
+            .id("tab-panel")
+            .relative()
+            .when_some(wallpaper, |this, source| this.child(background(source, cx)))
+            .when(!group.is_collapsed(), |this| {
+                this.on_action({
+                    let group = TabGroupContext::clone(group);
+                    move |_: &ToggleZoom, window, cx| group.toggle_zoom(window, cx)
+                })
+                .on_action({
+                    let group = TabGroupContext::clone(group);
+                    move |_: &ClosePanel, window, cx| {
+                        let Some(panel) = group.active_panel() else {
+                            return;
+                        };
+                        let panel = panel.panel_id(cx);
+                        group.close(panel, window, cx);
+                    }
+                })
             })
-            .on_action({
-                let group = TabGroupContext::clone(group);
-                move |_: &ClosePanel, window, cx| {
-                    let Some(panel) = group.active_panel() else {
-                        return;
-                    };
-                    let panel = panel.panel_id(cx);
-                    group.close(panel, window, cx);
-                }
-            })
-        })
     }
 
     fn render_tab_bar(
@@ -710,6 +723,11 @@ impl TabGroupRenderer for TabGroupSkin {
             return Empty.into_any_element();
         }
 
+        let wallpaper = group
+            .active_panel()
+            .and_then(|active| panel_background(active, cx))
+            .is_some();
+
         v_flex()
             .id("tab-content")
             .group("")
@@ -718,7 +736,7 @@ impl TabGroupRenderer for TabGroupSkin {
             .child(
                 div()
                     .size_full()
-                    .bg(cx.theme().bg)
+                    .when(!wallpaper, |this| this.bg(cx.theme().bg))
                     .overflow_hidden()
                     .child(panel.cached(StyleRefinement::default().v_flex().size_full())),
             )
@@ -781,3 +799,7 @@ fn panel_title(panel: &Arc<dyn gpui_base::dock::PanelView>, cx: &App) -> AnyElem
         None => SharedString::from(panel.panel_name(cx)).into_any_element(),
     }
 }
+
+fn panel_background(panel: &Arc<dyn gpui_base::dock::PanelView>, cx: &App) -> Option<ImageSource> {
+    PanelHandle::of(panel).and_then(|handle| handle.panel().background(cx))
+}
diff --git a/crates/ui/src/dock/panel.rs b/crates/ui/src/dock/panel.rs
index 15cec04e..b9fb0636 100644
--- a/crates/ui/src/dock/panel.rs
+++ b/crates/ui/src/dock/panel.rs
@@ -2,8 +2,8 @@ use std::any::Any;
 use std::sync::Arc;
 
 use gpui::{
-    AnyElement, AnyView, App, Element, Entity, EventEmitter, FocusHandle, Focusable, Render,
-    SharedString, Window,
+    AnyElement, AnyView, App, Element, Entity, EventEmitter, FocusHandle, Focusable, ImageSource,
+    Render, SharedString, Window,
 };
 use gpui_base::dock::{PanelId, PanelState};
 
@@ -46,6 +46,11 @@ pub trait Panel: EventEmitter<PanelEvent> + Render + Focusable {
     fn toolbar_buttons(&self, _window: &Window, _cx: &App) -> Vec<Button> {
         vec![]
     }
+
+    /// An optional image drawn behind the panel and its tab bar.
+    fn background(&self, _cx: &App) -> Option<ImageSource> {
+        None
+    }
 }
 
 pub(crate) trait PanelView: 'static + Send + Sync {
@@ -54,6 +59,7 @@ pub(crate) trait PanelView: 'static + Send + Sync {
     fn closable(&self, cx: &App) -> bool;
     fn zoomable(&self, cx: &App) -> bool;
     fn visible(&self, cx: &App) -> bool;
+    fn background(&self, cx: &App) -> Option<ImageSource>;
     fn set_active(&self, active: bool, window: &mut Window, cx: &mut App);
     fn set_zoomed(&self, zoomed: bool, cx: &mut App);
     fn view(&self) -> AnyView;
@@ -81,6 +87,10 @@ impl<T: Panel> PanelView for Entity<T> {
         self.read(cx).visible(cx)
     }
 
+    fn background(&self, cx: &App) -> Option<ImageSource> {
+        self.read(cx).background(cx)
+    }
+
     fn set_active(&self, active: bool, window: &mut Window, cx: &mut App) {
         self.update(cx, |this, cx| {
             this.set_active(active, window, cx);
diff --git a/crates/ui/src/styled.rs b/crates/ui/src/styled.rs
index d9dbbcc1..ca11872e 100644
--- a/crates/ui/src/styled.rs
+++ b/crates/ui/src/styled.rs
@@ -1,4 +1,7 @@
-use gpui::{App, Div, Pixels, Refineable, StyleRefinement, Styled, div, px};
+use gpui::{
+    App, Div, ImageSource, ObjectFit, ParentElement, Pixels, Refineable, StyleRefinement, Styled,
+    StyledImage, div, img, px,
+};
 pub use gpui_base::component_traits::{Disableable, Selectable};
 use theme::{ActiveTheme, TextStyle, Typeset as _, surface_radius, surface_shadows};
 
@@ -17,6 +20,19 @@ pub fn divider(cx: &App) -> Div {
     div().w_full().h_px().bg(cx.theme().border_faint)
 }
 
+/// Returns a full-bleed image with a wash for readability, to show behind panel content.
+pub fn background<I>(image: I, cx: &App) -> Div
+where
+    I: Into<ImageSource>,
+{
+    let wash = if cx.theme().is_dark() { 0.5 } else { 0.2 };
+    div()
+        .absolute()
+        .inset_0()
+        .child(img(image).size_full().object_fit(ObjectFit::Cover))
+        .child(div().absolute().inset_0().bg(cx.theme().bg.opacity(wash)))
+}
+
 macro_rules! font_weight {
     ($fn:ident, $const:ident) => {
         /// [docs](https://tailwindcss.com/docs/font-weight)
diff --git a/crates/workspace/src/dialogs/settings.rs b/crates/workspace/src/dialogs/settings.rs
index 9a1b0ebf..7bea2318 100644
--- a/crates/workspace/src/dialogs/settings.rs
+++ b/crates/workspace/src/dialogs/settings.rs
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 use gpui::http_client::Url;
 use gpui::{
-    App, AppContext, Context, Entity, IntoElement, ParentElement, Render, SharedString, Styled,
-    Window, div,
+    App, AppContext, Context, Entity, IntoElement, ParentElement, PathPromptOptions, Render,
+    SharedString, Styled, Window, div,
 };
 use settings::AppSettings;
 use theme::{ActiveTheme, AppExt as _, AppearanceMode, TextStyle, Typeset as _};
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ use ui::input::{Input, InputState};
 use ui::menu::{DropdownMenu, PopupMenuItem};
 use ui::notification::Notification;
 use ui::switch::Switch;
-use ui::{IconName, Sizable, WindowExtension, h_flex, v_flex};
+use ui::{Disableable, IconName, Sizable, WindowExtension, h_flex, v_flex};
 
 pub fn init(window: &mut Window, cx: &mut App) -> Entity<Preferences> {
     cx.new(|cx| Preferences::new(window, cx))
@@ -52,6 +52,32 @@ impl Preferences {
         AppSettings::update_appearance_mode(mode, cx);
         cx.set_appearance_mode(mode);
     }
+
+    /// Ask the user for an image to show behind chat and group panels
+    fn choose_background(cx: &mut App) {
+        let task = cx.prompt_for_paths(PathPromptOptions {
+            files: true,
+            directories: false,
+            multiple: false,
+            prompt: None,
+        });
+
+        cx.spawn(async move |cx| {
+            let Ok(Ok(Some(mut paths))) = task.await else {
+                return;
+            };
+
+            let Some(path) = paths.pop() else {
+                return;
+            };
+
+            cx.update(|cx| {
+                AppSettings::update_panel_background_path(Some(path), cx);
+                cx.refresh_windows();
+            });
+        })
+        .detach();
+    }
 }
 
 impl Render for Preferences {
@@ -60,11 +86,19 @@ impl Render for Preferences {
         const AVATAR: &str = "Hide all avatar pictures to improve performance.";
         const MODE: &str = "Follow the OS, or always use light or dark.";
         const NIP4E: &str = "Use a dedicated key to encrypt and decrypt messages.";
+        const BACKGROUND: &str = "Show an image behind chat and group panels.";
 
         let screening = AppSettings::get_screening(cx);
         let hide_avatar = AppSettings::get_hide_avatar(cx);
         let nip4e = AppSettings::get_nip4e(cx);
         let appearance_mode = AppSettings::get_appearance_mode(cx);
+        let panel_background = AppSettings::get_panel_background(cx);
+        let panel_background_path = AppSettings::get_panel_background_path(cx);
+
+        let background_label = match &panel_background_path {
+            Some(path) => path.display().to_string(),
+            None => String::from("Default Background"),
+        };
 
         v_flex()
             .gap_4()
@@ -132,6 +166,73 @@ impl Render for Preferences {
                             ),
                     ),
             )
+            .child(
+                GroupBox::new()
+                    .id("background")
+                    .title("Background")
+                    .fill()
+                    .child(
+                        Switch::new("panel-background")
+                            .label("Panel background")
+                            .description(BACKGROUND)
+                            .checked(panel_background)
+                            .on_click(move |_, _window, cx| {
+                                AppSettings::update_panel_background(!panel_background, cx);
+                                cx.refresh_windows();
+                            }),
+                    )
+                    .child(
+                        h_flex()
+                            .gap_3()
+                            .justify_between()
+                            .child(
+                                v_flex()
+                                    .flex_1()
+                                    .min_w_0()
+                                    .child(
+                                        div()
+                                            .text_style(TextStyle::Callout)
+                                            .child(SharedString::from("Image")),
+                                    )
+                                    .child(
+                                        div()
+                                            .text_style(TextStyle::Caption)
+                                            .text_color(cx.theme().text_muted)
+                                            .truncate()
+                                            .child(SharedString::from(background_label)),
+                                    ),
+                            )
+                            .child(
+                                h_flex()
+                                    .flex_shrink_0()
+                                    .gap_1()
+                                    .child(
+                                        Button::new("choose-background")
+                                            .label("Choose image")
+                                            .ghost_alt()
+                                            .small()
+                                            .disabled(!panel_background)
+                                            .on_click(|_, _window, cx| {
+                                                Self::choose_background(cx);
+                                            }),
+                                    )
+                                    .child(
+                                        Button::new("reset-background")
+                                            .label("Reset")
+                                            .ghost_alt()
+                                            .small()
+                                            .disabled(
+                                                !panel_background
+                                                    || panel_background_path.is_none(),
+                                            )
+                                            .on_click(|_, _window, cx| {
+                                                AppSettings::update_panel_background_path(None, cx);
+                                                cx.refresh_windows();
+                                            }),
+                                    ),
+                            ),
+                    ),
+            )
             .child(
                 GroupBox::new()
                     .id("experiments")