diff --git a/mutt/common b/mutt/common
index fd91414..87fde58 100644
--- a/mutt/common
+++ b/mutt/common
@@ -15,3 +15,9 @@ set beep_new = yes
 
 macro pager \cu <pipe-entry>'urlview'<enter> 'Follow links with urlview'
 macro attach w <pipe-entry>'pipefox'<enter> 'Send attachment to firefox'
+
+color index default default ~N
+color index default default ~O
+color index default default ~F
+color index default default ~T
+color index default default ~D
diff --git a/mutt/gmail b/mutt/gmail
index 51df7f4..fb1fdce 100644
--- a/mutt/gmail
+++ b/mutt/gmail
@@ -23,3 +23,6 @@ set use_from = yes
 set smtp_url = "smtps://$my_username@smtp.gmail.com:465"
 set ssl_force_tls = yes
 set ssl_starttls = yes
+
+color index default brightred ~N
+color index default brightred ~O
diff --git a/mutt/mit b/mutt/mit
index 56a038b..db84094 100644
--- a/mutt/mit
+++ b/mutt/mit
@@ -32,3 +32,6 @@ set use_from = yes
 set smtp_url = "smtps://$my_username@outgoing.mit.edu:465"
 set ssl_force_tls = yes
 set ssl_starttls = yes
+
+color index default blue ~N
+color index default blue ~O
diff --git a/panel/panel b/panel/panel
index debb964..19679ee 100755
--- a/panel/panel
+++ b/panel/panel
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ PANEL_HEIGHT=24
 PANEL_FONT_FAMILY="-*-terminus-medium-r-normal-*-12-*-*-*-c-*-*-1"
 
 COLOR_FOREGROUND='#FFAAAAAA'
-COLOR_BACKGROUND='#FF111111'
+COLOR_BACKGROUND='#FF222222'
 
 if [ $(pgrep -cx panel) -gt 1 ] ; then
 	printf "%s\n" "The panel is already running." >&2
diff --git a/panel/panel_bar.py b/panel/panel_bar.py
index ddd4be0..3be6722 100755
--- a/panel/panel_bar.py
+++ b/panel/panel_bar.py
@@ -14,18 +14,18 @@ MIN_UPDATE_INTERVAL = 0.01
 PATH = os.path.dirname(os.path.realpath(__file__))
 
 PANEL_FOREGROUND='#FF888888'
-PANEL_BACKGROUND='#FF111111'
+PANEL_BACKGROUND='#FF222222'
 
 COLOR_FOCUSED_FG = '#FFE0E0E0'
 COLOR_OCCUPIED_FG = '#FFA3A6AB'
-COLOR_URGENT_BG = '#FF34322E'
-
-DIVIDER = ' | '
+COLOR_URGENT_BG = '#FF880000'
 
+DIVIDER = '|'
 
 def color_string(string, fg=PANEL_FOREGROUND, bg=PANEL_BACKGROUND):
     return "%%{F%s}%%{B%s} %s %%{B-}%%{F-}" % (fg, bg, string)
 
+divider = color_string(DIVIDER, fg='#FF444444')
 
 def status_update(data):
     # monitor, occupied, free, urgent (with uppercase meaning focused)
@@ -87,12 +87,15 @@ def battery_update(_):
     state, charge, *_ = status.split(', ')
     state = state
     charge = int(charge[:-1])
-    return 'battery', color_string("%s %d%%%%" % (state, charge))
+    colors = {}
+    if state != 'Charging' and charge < 5:
+        colors['bg'] = COLOR_URGENT_BG
+    return 'battery', color_string("%s %d%%%%" % (state, charge), **colors)
 
 
 def make_string(status, clock, volume, battery, wifi):
     print("%%{1}%s%%{c}%%{r}%s%s%s%s%s%s%s" %
-          (status, wifi, DIVIDER, battery, DIVIDER, volume, DIVIDER, clock))
+          (status, wifi, divider, battery, divider, volume, divider, clock))
 
 
 def open_socket(address):