diff --git a/tmux.conf b/tmux.conf
index 6b76418..a18706e 100644
--- a/tmux.conf
+++ b/tmux.conf
@@ -280,6 +280,12 @@ set -g status-right '#{sep_b} #h #{sep_e}#{sep_on} : #{continuum_status} '
 set -g pane-active-border-style fg=white,bg=white
 set -g pane-border-style fg=white,bg=default
 
+# Dim inactive panes: only cells in "default" colour change (coloured text and
+# vim's own background stay as they are); the active pane keeps the terminal
+# background. Needs tmux >= 2.1.
+set -g window-style        fg=colour247,bg=colour234
+set -g window-active-style fg=default,bg=default
+
 # set Message text
 set-option -g message-style bg=default,fg=red
 set-option -g message-command-style bg=default,fg=brightwhite