diff --git a/src/ui/material/color_theme.cpp b/src/ui/material/color_theme.cpp
index fbac292..8786612 100644
--- a/src/ui/material/color_theme.cpp
+++ b/src/ui/material/color_theme.cpp
@@ -382,9 +382,11 @@ void ApplyColorThemeToImGui(const ColorTheme& theme)
         colors[ImGuiCol_FrameBgHovered]       = ImVec4(1.0f, 1.0f, 1.0f, 0.10f);
         colors[ImGuiCol_FrameBgActive]        = ImVec4(1.0f, 1.0f, 1.0f, 0.15f);
     } else {
-        colors[ImGuiCol_FrameBg]              = ImVec4(0, 0, 0, 0.04f);
-        colors[ImGuiCol_FrameBgHovered]       = ImVec4(0, 0, 0, 0.07f);
-        colors[ImGuiCol_FrameBgActive]        = ImVec4(0, 0, 0, 0.10f);
+        // Light themes: the old 4/7/10% black fills were nearly invisible on a white surface (input
+        // fields blended in). Darker fills so inputs/dropdowns read as defined boxes.
+        colors[ImGuiCol_FrameBg]              = ImVec4(0, 0, 0, 0.09f);
+        colors[ImGuiCol_FrameBgHovered]       = ImVec4(0, 0, 0, 0.14f);
+        colors[ImGuiCol_FrameBgActive]        = ImVec4(0, 0, 0, 0.18f);
     }
     
     // Title bar