diff --git a/docs/configuring.rst b/docs/configuring.rst
index 94beb09d..94ddc4c2 100644
--- a/docs/configuring.rst
+++ b/docs/configuring.rst
@@ -25,6 +25,7 @@ file of this repository, and can be defined in your project's ``conf.py`` via
         'prev_next_buttons_location': 'bottom',
         'style_external_links': False,
         'vcs_pageview_mode': '',
+        'style_nav_header_background': 'white',
         # Toc options
         'collapse_navigation': True,
         'sticky_navigation': True,
@@ -49,6 +50,9 @@ Base options
 * ``vcs_pageview_mode`` String. Changes how to view files when using `display_github`, `display_gitlab`, etc.
   When using Github or Gitlab this can be: `blob` (default), `edit`, or `raw`,
   on Bitbucket, this can be either: `view` (default) or `edit`.
+* ``style_nav_header_background`` String. Changes the background of the search area in the navigation bar. The value
+  can be anything valid in a CSS `background` property. The default `#2980B9` will be used if the property is not
+  defined.
 
 TOC Options
 ~~~~~~~~~~~
diff --git a/sphinx_rtd_theme/layout.html b/sphinx_rtd_theme/layout.html
index 2df1b39c..2a611425 100644
--- a/sphinx_rtd_theme/layout.html
+++ b/sphinx_rtd_theme/layout.html
@@ -105,11 +105,10 @@
 
   {% block extrabody %} {% endblock %}
   <div class="wy-grid-for-nav">
-
     {# SIDE NAV, TOGGLES ON MOBILE #}
     <nav data-toggle="wy-nav-shift" class="wy-nav-side">
       <div class="wy-side-scroll">
-        <div class="wy-side-nav-search">
+        <div class="wy-side-nav-search" {% if theme_style_nav_header_background %} style="background: {{theme_style_nav_header_background}}" {% endif %}>
           {% block sidebartitle %}
 
           {% if logo and theme_logo_only %}
diff --git a/sphinx_rtd_theme/theme.conf b/sphinx_rtd_theme/theme.conf
index 5d80641a..fd0521f0 100644
--- a/sphinx_rtd_theme/theme.conf
+++ b/sphinx_rtd_theme/theme.conf
@@ -10,8 +10,9 @@ collapse_navigation = True
 sticky_navigation = True
 navigation_depth = 4
 includehidden = True
-titles_only = 
+titles_only =
 logo_only =
 display_version = True
 prev_next_buttons_location = bottom
 style_external_links = False
+style_nav_header_background =
\ No newline at end of file