diff --git a/include/components/types.hpp b/include/components/types.hpp
index 9c152654..3f8b9831 100644
--- a/include/components/types.hpp
+++ b/include/components/types.hpp
@@ -82,6 +82,10 @@ enum class strut {
 struct position {
   int x{0};
   int y{0};
+
+  bool operator==(const position& other) {
+    return this->x == other.x && this->y == other.y;
+  }
 };
 
 struct size {
diff --git a/include/x11/tray_client.hpp b/include/x11/tray_client.hpp
index eb1a9189..0edd37a1 100644
--- a/include/x11/tray_client.hpp
+++ b/include/x11/tray_client.hpp
@@ -2,8 +2,11 @@
 
 #include <xcb/xcb.h>
 
+#include "cairo/context.hpp"
+#include "cairo/surface.hpp"
 #include "common.hpp"
 #include "utils/concurrency.hpp"
+#include "x11/background_manager.hpp"
 #include "x11/xembed.hpp"
 
 /*
@@ -19,7 +22,8 @@ class connection;
 
 class tray_client : public non_copyable_mixin, public non_movable_mixin {
  public:
-  explicit tray_client(const logger& log, connection& conn, xcb_window_t tray, xcb_window_t win, size s);
+  explicit tray_client(
+      const logger& log, connection& conn, xcb_window_t parent, xcb_window_t win, size s, uint32_t desired_background);
   ~tray_client();
 
   string name() const;
@@ -51,9 +55,14 @@ class tray_client : public non_copyable_mixin, public non_movable_mixin {
   void add_to_save_set() const;
 
   void ensure_state() const;
-  void reconfigure(int x, int y) const;
+  void set_position(int x, int y);
   void configure_notify() const;
 
+  void update_bg() const;
+
+ protected:
+  void observe_background();
+
  protected:
   const logger& m_log;
 
@@ -107,6 +116,13 @@ class tray_client : public non_copyable_mixin, public non_movable_mixin {
   bool m_hidden{false};
 
   size m_size;
+  position m_pos{0, 0};
+
+  rgba m_desired_background;
+  background_manager& m_background_manager;
+  shared_ptr<bg_slice> m_bg_slice;
+  unique_ptr<cairo::context> m_context;
+  unique_ptr<cairo::xcb_surface> m_surface;
 };
 
 POLYBAR_NS_END
diff --git a/include/x11/tray_manager.hpp b/include/x11/tray_manager.hpp
index 4b27fd41..be453da4 100644
--- a/include/x11/tray_manager.hpp
+++ b/include/x11/tray_manager.hpp
@@ -86,8 +86,7 @@ class tray_manager : public xpp::event::sink<evt::expose, evt::client_message, e
  protected:
   void reconfigure_window();
   void reconfigure_clients();
-  void refresh_window();
-  void redraw_window();
+  void redraw_clients();
 
   void query_atom();
   void set_tray_colors();
diff --git a/src/x11/tray_client.cpp b/src/x11/tray_client.cpp
index 76788373..09a4ec71 100644
--- a/src/x11/tray_client.cpp
+++ b/src/x11/tray_client.cpp
@@ -19,8 +19,15 @@ POLYBAR_NS
  * 2. Use pseudo-transparency when activated (make sure the depths match)
  * 3. Use background color
  */
-tray_client::tray_client(const logger& log, connection& conn, xcb_window_t tray, xcb_window_t win, size s)
-    : m_log(log), m_connection(conn), m_name(ewmh_util::get_wm_name(win)), m_client(win), m_size(s) {
+tray_client::tray_client(
+    const logger& log, connection& conn, xcb_window_t parent, xcb_window_t win, size s, uint32_t desired_background)
+    : m_log(log)
+    , m_connection(conn)
+    , m_name(ewmh_util::get_wm_name(win))
+    , m_client(win)
+    , m_size(s)
+    , m_desired_background(desired_background)
+    , m_background_manager(background_manager::make()) {
   auto geom = conn.get_geometry(win);
   auto attrs = conn.get_window_attributes(win);
   int client_depth = geom->depth;
@@ -37,16 +44,13 @@ tray_client::tray_client(const logger& log, connection& conn, xcb_window_t tray,
    */
   // clang-format off
   m_wrapper = winspec(conn)
-    << cw_size(s.h, s.w)
+    << cw_size(s.w, s.h)
     << cw_pos(0, 0)
     << cw_depth(client_depth)
     << cw_visual(client_visual)
-    << cw_parent(tray)
+    << cw_parent(parent)
     << cw_class(XCB_WINDOW_CLASS_INPUT_OUTPUT)
-    // TODO add proper pixmap
-    << cw_params_back_pixmap(XCB_PIXMAP_NONE)
-    // << cw_params_back_pixel(0x00ff00)
-    // The X server requires the border pixel to be defined if the depth doesn't match the parent window
+    // The X server requires the border pixel to be defined if the depth doesn't match the parent (bar) window
     << cw_params_border_pixel(conn.screen()->black_pixel)
     << cw_params_backing_store(XCB_BACKING_STORE_WHEN_MAPPED)
     << cw_params_save_under(true)
@@ -57,6 +61,50 @@ tray_client::tray_client(const logger& log, connection& conn, xcb_window_t tray,
     << cw_params_colormap(client_colormap)
     << cw_flush(true);
   // clang-format on
+
+  // TODO destroy in destructor
+  xcb_pixmap_t pixmap = m_connection.generate_id();
+
+  try {
+    m_connection.create_pixmap_checked(client_depth, pixmap, m_wrapper, s.w, s.h);
+  } catch (const std::exception& err) {
+    // TODO in case of error, fall back to desired_background
+    m_log.err("Failed to create pixmap for tray background (err: %s)", err.what());
+    throw;
+  }
+
+  try {
+    m_connection.change_window_attributes_checked(m_wrapper, XCB_CW_BACK_PIXMAP, &pixmap);
+  } catch (const std::exception& err) {
+    // TODO in case of error, fall back to desired_background
+    m_log.err("Failed to set tray window back pixmap (%s)", err.what());
+    throw;
+  }
+
+  // TODO destroy in destructor
+  xcb_gcontext_t gc = m_connection.generate_id();
+  try {
+    xcb_params_gc_t params{};
+    uint32_t mask = 0;
+    XCB_AUX_ADD_PARAM(&mask, &params, graphics_exposures, 1);
+    std::array<uint32_t, 32> values;
+    connection::pack_values(mask, &params, values);
+    m_connection.create_gc_checked(gc, pixmap, mask, values.data());
+  } catch (const std::exception& err) {
+    m_log.err("Failed to create gcontext for tray background (err: %s)", err.what());
+    throw;
+  }
+
+  xcb_visualtype_t* visual = m_connection.visual_type_for_id(client_visual);
+  if (!visual) {
+    // TODO in case of error, fall back to desired_background
+    throw std::runtime_error("Failed to get root visual for tray background");
+  }
+
+  m_surface = make_unique<cairo::xcb_surface>(m_connection, pixmap, visual, s.w, s.h);
+  m_context = make_unique<cairo::context>(*m_surface, m_log);
+
+  observe_background();
 }
 
 tray_client::~tray_client() {
@@ -94,11 +142,6 @@ void tray_client::update_client_attributes() const {
   XCB_AUX_ADD_PARAM(
       &configure_mask, &configure_params, event_mask, XCB_EVENT_MASK_PROPERTY_CHANGE | XCB_EVENT_MASK_STRUCTURE_NOTIFY);
 
-  // TODO
-  XCB_AUX_ADD_PARAM(&configure_mask, &configure_params, back_pixel, 0xff0000ff);
-  // TODO
-  XCB_AUX_ADD_PARAM(&configure_mask, &configure_params, back_pixmap, XCB_PIXMAP_NONE);
-
   connection::pack_values(configure_mask, &configure_params, configure_values);
 
   m_log.trace("%s: Update client window", name());
@@ -220,13 +263,21 @@ void tray_client::ensure_state() const {
 }
 
 /**
- * Configure window size
+ * Configure window position
  */
-void tray_client::reconfigure(int x, int y) const {
+void tray_client::set_position(int x, int y) {
   m_log.trace("%s: moving to (%d, %d)", name(), x, y);
 
+  position new_pos{x, y};
+
+  if (new_pos == m_pos) {
+    return;
+  }
+
+  m_pos = new_pos;
+
   uint32_t configure_mask = 0;
-  std::array<uint32_t, 32> configure_values{};
+  array<uint32_t, 32> configure_values{};
   xcb_params_configure_window_t configure_params{};
 
   XCB_AUX_ADD_PARAM(&configure_mask, &configure_params, width, m_size.w);
@@ -243,6 +294,9 @@ void tray_client::reconfigure(int x, int y) const {
   XCB_AUX_ADD_PARAM(&configure_mask, &configure_params, y, 0);
   connection::pack_values(configure_mask, &configure_params, configure_values);
   m_connection.configure_window_checked(client(), configure_mask, configure_values.data());
+
+  // The position has changed, we need a new background slice.
+  observe_background();
 }
 
 /**
@@ -265,4 +319,30 @@ void tray_client::configure_notify() const {
   m_connection.send_event_checked(false, client(), mask, reinterpret_cast<const char*>(&notify));
 }
 
+/**
+ * Redraw background using the observed background slice.
+ */
+void tray_client::update_bg() const {
+  m_log.trace("%s: Update background", name());
+
+  // Composite background slice with background color.
+  m_context->clear();
+  *m_context << CAIRO_OPERATOR_SOURCE << *m_bg_slice->get_surface();
+  m_context->paint();
+  *m_context << CAIRO_OPERATOR_OVER << m_desired_background;
+  m_context->paint();
+
+  m_surface->flush();
+
+  clear_window();
+  m_connection.flush();
+}
+
+void tray_client::observe_background() {
+  xcb_rectangle_t rect{0, 0, static_cast<uint16_t>(m_size.w), static_cast<uint16_t>(m_size.h)};
+  m_bg_slice = m_background_manager.observe(rect, m_wrapper);
+
+  update_bg();
+}
+
 POLYBAR_NS_END
diff --git a/src/x11/tray_manager.cpp b/src/x11/tray_manager.cpp
index 0c7f94e6..7d1f5b3d 100644
--- a/src/x11/tray_manager.cpp
+++ b/src/x11/tray_manager.cpp
@@ -132,7 +132,7 @@ void tray_manager::activate() {
   try {
     set_tray_colors();
     set_tray_orientation();
-    set_tray_visual();
+    // set_tray_visual();
   } catch (const exception& err) {
     m_log.err(err.what());
     m_log.err("Cannot activate tray manager... failed to setup window");
@@ -278,7 +278,7 @@ void tray_manager::reconfigure_clients() {
       client->ensure_state();
 
       if (client->mapped()) {
-        client->reconfigure(x, calculate_client_y());
+        client->set_position(x, calculate_client_y());
       }
 
       x += m_opts.client_size.w + m_opts.spacing;
@@ -295,9 +295,9 @@ void tray_manager::reconfigure_clients() {
 }
 
 /**
- * Refresh the bar window by clearing it along with each client window
+ * Redraw client windows.
  */
-void tray_manager::refresh_window() {
+void tray_manager::redraw_clients() {
   if (!is_visible()) {
     return;
   }
@@ -307,7 +307,7 @@ void tray_manager::refresh_window() {
   for (auto& client : m_clients) {
     try {
       if (client->mapped()) {
-        client->clear_window();
+        client->update_bg();
       }
     } catch (const std::exception& e) {
       m_log.err("tray: Failed to clear %s (%s)", client->name(), e.what());
@@ -317,15 +317,6 @@ void tray_manager::refresh_window() {
   m_connection.flush();
 }
 
-/**
- * Redraw window
- *
- * TODO better name
- */
-void tray_manager::redraw_window() {
-  refresh_window();
-}
-
 /**
  * Find the systray selection atom
  */
@@ -371,6 +362,7 @@ void tray_manager::set_tray_orientation() {
       XCB_ATOM_CARDINAL, 32, 1, &orientation);
 }
 
+// TODO remove
 void tray_manager::set_tray_visual() {
   // TODO use bar visual
   const uint32_t visualid = m_connection.visual_type(XCB_VISUAL_CLASS_TRUE_COLOR, 32)->visual_id;
@@ -452,7 +444,8 @@ void tray_manager::process_docking_request(xcb_window_t win) {
   m_log.info("tray: Processing docking request from '%s' (%s)", ewmh_util::get_wm_name(win), m_connection.id(win));
 
   try {
-    auto client = make_unique<tray_client>(m_log, m_connection, m_opts.selection_owner, win, m_opts.client_size);
+    auto client = make_unique<tray_client>(
+        m_log, m_connection, m_opts.selection_owner, win, m_opts.client_size, m_bar_opts.background.value());
 
     try {
       client->query_xembed();
@@ -578,7 +571,7 @@ bool tray_manager::change_visibility(bool visible) {
   }
 
   if (!m_hidden) {
-    redraw_window();
+    redraw_clients();
   }
 
   m_connection.flush();
@@ -591,7 +584,7 @@ bool tray_manager::change_visibility(bool visible) {
  */
 void tray_manager::handle(const evt::expose& evt) {
   if (is_active() && !m_clients.empty() && evt->count == 0) {
-    redraw_window();
+    redraw_clients();
   }
 }
 
@@ -740,7 +733,7 @@ void tray_manager::handle(const evt::destroy_notify& evt) {
   } else if (is_active() && is_embedded(evt->window)) {
     m_log.info("tray: Received destroy_notify for client, remove...");
     remove_client(evt->window);
-    redraw_window();
+    redraw_clients();
   }
 }
 
@@ -750,7 +743,7 @@ void tray_manager::handle(const evt::destroy_notify& evt) {
 void tray_manager::handle(const evt::map_notify& evt) {
   if (is_active() && evt->window == m_opts.selection_owner) {
     m_log.trace("tray: Received map_notify for selection owner");
-    redraw_window();
+    redraw_clients();
   } else if (is_embedded(evt->window)) {
     auto client = find_client(evt->window);
 
@@ -789,9 +782,8 @@ void tray_manager::handle(const evt::unmap_notify& evt) {
   }
 }
 
-// TODO maybe remove signal
 bool tray_manager::on(const signals::ui::update_background&) {
-  redraw_window();
+  redraw_clients();
 
   return false;
 }