diff --git a/src/config.c b/src/config.c
index e13cacd..5fe8d30 100644
--- a/src/config.c
+++ b/src/config.c
@@ -313,6 +313,24 @@ void add_entry(char *key, char *value)
 		else
 			bg->border_color_pressed.alpha = 0.5;
 		read_border_color_press = 1;
+	} else if (strcmp(key, "gradient_id") == 0) {
+		Background *bg = &g_array_index(backgrounds, Background, backgrounds->len - 1);
+		int id = atoi(value);
+		id = (id < gradients->len && id >= 0) ? id : -1;
+		if (id >= 0)
+			bg->gradients[MOUSE_NORMAL] = g_list_append(bg->gradients[MOUSE_NORMAL], &g_array_index(gradients, GradientClass, id));
+	} else if (strcmp(key, "hover_gradient_id") == 0) {
+		Background *bg = &g_array_index(backgrounds, Background, backgrounds->len - 1);
+		int id = atoi(value);
+		id = (id < gradients->len && id >= 0) ? id : -1;
+		if (id >= 0)
+			bg->gradients[MOUSE_OVER] = g_list_append(bg->gradients[MOUSE_OVER], &g_array_index(gradients, GradientClass, id));
+	} else if (strcmp(key, "pressed_gradient_id") == 0) {
+		Background *bg = &g_array_index(backgrounds, Background, backgrounds->len - 1);
+		int id = atoi(value);
+		id = (id < gradients->len && id >= 0) ? id : -1;
+		if (id >= 0)
+			bg->gradients[MOUSE_DOWN] = g_list_append(bg->gradients[MOUSE_DOWN], &g_array_index(gradients, GradientClass, id));
 	}
 
 	/* Gradients */
@@ -534,11 +552,6 @@ void add_entry(char *key, char *value)
 		int id = atoi(value);
 		id = (id < backgrounds->len && id >= 0) ? id : 0;
 		panel_config.area.bg = &g_array_index(backgrounds, Background, id);
-	} else if (strcmp(key, "panel_gradient_id") == 0) {
-		int id = atoi(value);
-		id = (id < gradients->len && id >= 0) ? id : -1;
-		if (id >= 0)
-			panel_config.area.gradients = g_list_append(panel_config.area.gradients, &g_array_index(gradients, GradientClass, id));
 	} else if (strcmp(key, "wm_menu") == 0)
 		wm_menu = atoi(value);
 	else if (strcmp(key, "panel_dock") == 0)
@@ -641,13 +654,6 @@ void add_entry(char *key, char *value)
 		int id = atoi(value);
 		id = (id < backgrounds->len && id >= 0) ? id : 0;
 		panel_config.battery.area.bg = &g_array_index(backgrounds, Background, id);
-#endif
-	} else if (strcmp(key, "battery_gradient_id") == 0) {
-#ifdef ENABLE_BATTERY
-		int id = atoi(value);
-		id = (id < gradients->len && id >= 0) ? id : -1;
-		if (id >= 0)
-			panel_config.battery.area.gradients = g_list_append(panel_config.battery.area.gradients, &g_array_index(gradients, GradientClass, id));
 #endif
 	} else if (strcmp(key, "battery_hide") == 0) {
 #ifdef ENABLE_BATTERY
@@ -669,12 +675,6 @@ void add_entry(char *key, char *value)
 		int id = atoi(value);
 		id = (id < backgrounds->len && id >= 0) ? id : 0;
 		separator->area.bg = &g_array_index(backgrounds, Background, id);
-	} else if (strcmp(key, "separator_gradient_id") == 0) {
-		Separator *separator = get_or_create_last_separator();
-		int id = atoi(value);
-		id = (id < gradients->len && id >= 0) ? id : -1;
-		if (id >= 0)
-			separator->area.gradients = g_list_append(separator->area.gradients, &g_array_index(gradients, GradientClass, id));
 	} else if (strcmp(key, "separator_color") == 0) {
 		Separator *separator = get_or_create_last_separator();
 		extract_values(value, &value1, &value2, &value3);
@@ -767,12 +767,6 @@ void add_entry(char *key, char *value)
 		int id = atoi(value);
 		id = (id < backgrounds->len && id >= 0) ? id : 0;
 		execp->backend->bg = &g_array_index(backgrounds, Background, id);
-	} else if (strcmp(key, "execp_gradient_id") == 0) {
-		Execp *execp = get_or_create_last_execp();
-		int id = atoi(value);
-		id = (id < gradients->len && id >= 0) ? id : -1;
-		if (id >= 0)
-			execp->area.gradients = g_list_append(execp->area.gradients, &g_array_index(gradients, GradientClass, id));
 	} else if (strcmp(key, "execp_centered") == 0) {
 		Execp *execp = get_or_create_last_execp();
 		execp->backend->centered = atoi(value);
@@ -869,11 +863,6 @@ void add_entry(char *key, char *value)
 		int id = atoi(value);
 		id = (id < backgrounds->len && id >= 0) ? id : 0;
 		panel_config.clock.area.bg = &g_array_index(backgrounds, Background, id);
-	} else if (strcmp(key, "clock_gradient_id") == 0) {
-		int id = atoi(value);
-		id = (id < gradients->len && id >= 0) ? id : -1;
-		if (id >= 0)
-			panel_config.clock.area.gradients = g_list_append(panel_config.clock.area.gradients, &g_array_index(gradients, GradientClass, id));
 	} else if (strcmp(key, "clock_tooltip") == 0) {
 		if (strlen(value) > 0)
 			time_tooltip_format = strdup(value);
@@ -918,20 +907,10 @@ void add_entry(char *key, char *value)
 		panel_config.g_taskbar.background[TASKBAR_NORMAL] = &g_array_index(backgrounds, Background, id);
 		if (panel_config.g_taskbar.background[TASKBAR_ACTIVE] == 0)
 			panel_config.g_taskbar.background[TASKBAR_ACTIVE] = panel_config.g_taskbar.background[TASKBAR_NORMAL];
-	} else if (strcmp(key, "taskbar_gradient_id") == 0) {
-		int id = atoi(value);
-		id = (id < gradients->len && id >= 0) ? id : -1;
-		if (id >= 0)
-			panel_config.g_taskbar.gradient[TASKBAR_NORMAL] = g_list_append(panel_config.g_taskbar.gradient[TASKBAR_NORMAL], &g_array_index(gradients, GradientClass, id));
 	} else if (strcmp(key, "taskbar_active_background_id") == 0) {
 		int id = atoi(value);
 		id = (id < backgrounds->len && id >= 0) ? id : 0;
 		panel_config.g_taskbar.background[TASKBAR_ACTIVE] = &g_array_index(backgrounds, Background, id);
-	} else if (strcmp(key, "taskbar_active_gradient_id") == 0) {
-		int id = atoi(value);
-		id = (id < gradients->len && id >= 0) ? id : -1;
-		if (id >= 0)
-			panel_config.g_taskbar.gradient[TASKBAR_ACTIVE] = g_list_append(panel_config.g_taskbar.gradient[TASKBAR_ACTIVE], &g_array_index(gradients, GradientClass, id));
 	} else if (strcmp(key, "taskbar_name") == 0) {
 		taskbarname_enabled = atoi(value);
 	} else if (strcmp(key, "taskbar_name_padding") == 0) {
@@ -946,20 +925,10 @@ void add_entry(char *key, char *value)
 		if (panel_config.g_taskbar.background_name[TASKBAR_ACTIVE] == 0)
 			panel_config.g_taskbar.background_name[TASKBAR_ACTIVE] =
 				panel_config.g_taskbar.background_name[TASKBAR_NORMAL];
-	} else if (strcmp(key, "taskbar_name_gradient_id") == 0) {
-		int id = atoi(value);
-		id = (id < gradients->len && id >= 0) ? id : -1;
-		if (id >= 0)
-			panel_config.g_taskbar.gradient_name[TASKBAR_NORMAL] = g_list_append(panel_config.g_taskbar.gradient_name[TASKBAR_NORMAL], &g_array_index(gradients, GradientClass, id));
 	} else if (strcmp(key, "taskbar_name_active_background_id") == 0) {
 		int id = atoi(value);
 		id = (id < backgrounds->len && id >= 0) ? id : 0;
 		panel_config.g_taskbar.background_name[TASKBAR_ACTIVE] = &g_array_index(backgrounds, Background, id);
-	} else if (strcmp(key, "taskbar_name_active_gradient_id") == 0) {
-		int id = atoi(value);
-		id = (id < gradients->len && id >= 0) ? id : -1;
-		if (id >= 0)
-			panel_config.g_taskbar.gradient_name[TASKBAR_ACTIVE] = g_list_append(panel_config.g_taskbar.gradient_name[TASKBAR_ACTIVE], &g_array_index(gradients, GradientClass, id));
 	} else if (strcmp(key, "taskbar_name_font") == 0) {
 		panel_config.taskbarname_font_desc = pango_font_description_from_string(value);
 		panel_config.taskbarname_has_font = TRUE;
@@ -1071,17 +1040,6 @@ void add_entry(char *key, char *value)
 			if (status == TASK_NORMAL)
 				panel_config.g_task.area.bg = panel_config.g_task.background[TASK_NORMAL];
 		}
-	} else if (g_regex_match_simple("task.*_gradient_id", key, 0, 0)) {
-		gchar **split = g_regex_split_simple("_", key, 0, 0);
-		int status = g_strv_length(split) == 3 ? TASK_NORMAL : get_task_status(split[1]);
-		g_strfreev(split);
-		if (status >= 0) {
-			int id = atoi(value);
-			id = (id < gradients->len && id >= 0) ? id : -1;
-			if (id >= 0) {
-				panel_config.g_task.gradient[status] = g_list_append(panel_config.g_task.gradient[status], &g_array_index(gradients, GradientClass, id));
-			}
-		}
 	}
 	// "tooltip" is deprecated but here for backwards compatibility
 	else if (strcmp(key, "task_tooltip") == 0 || strcmp(key, "tooltip") == 0)
@@ -1109,11 +1067,6 @@ void add_entry(char *key, char *value)
 		int id = atoi(value);
 		id = (id < backgrounds->len && id >= 0) ? id : 0;
 		systray.area.bg = &g_array_index(backgrounds, Background, id);
-	} else if (strcmp(key, "systray_gradient_id") == 0) {
-		int id = atoi(value);
-		id = (id < gradients->len && id >= 0) ? id : -1;
-		if (id >= 0)
-			systray.area.gradients = g_list_append(systray.area.gradients, &g_array_index(gradients, GradientClass, id));
 	} else if (strcmp(key, "systray_sort") == 0) {
 		if (strcmp(value, "descending") == 0)
 			systray.sort = SYSTRAY_SORT_DESCENDING;
@@ -1146,20 +1099,10 @@ void add_entry(char *key, char *value)
 		int id = atoi(value);
 		id = (id < backgrounds->len && id >= 0) ? id : 0;
 		panel_config.launcher.area.bg = &g_array_index(backgrounds, Background, id);
-	} else if (strcmp(key, "launcher_gradient_id") == 0) {
-		int id = atoi(value);
-		id = (id < gradients->len && id >= 0) ? id : -1;
-		if (id >= 0)
-			panel_config.launcher.area.gradients = g_list_append(panel_config.launcher.area.gradients, &g_array_index(gradients, GradientClass, id));
 	} else if (strcmp(key, "launcher_icon_background_id") == 0) {
 		int id = atoi(value);
 		id = (id < backgrounds->len && id >= 0) ? id : 0;
 		launcher_icon_bg = &g_array_index(backgrounds, Background, id);
-	} else if (strcmp(key, "launcher_icon_gradient_id") == 0) {
-		int id = atoi(value);
-		id = (id < gradients->len && id >= 0) ? id : -1;
-		if (id >= 0)
-			launcher_icon_gradients = g_list_append(launcher_icon_gradients, &g_array_index(gradients, GradientClass, id));
 	} else if (strcmp(key, "launcher_icon_size") == 0) {
 		launcher_max_icon_size = atoi(value);
 	} else if (strcmp(key, "launcher_item_app") == 0) {
diff --git a/src/launcher/launcher.c b/src/launcher/launcher.c
index 030b8ee..18160be 100644
--- a/src/launcher/launcher.c
+++ b/src/launcher/launcher.c
@@ -492,7 +492,6 @@ void launcher_load_icons(Launcher *launcher)
 		launcherIcon->area.has_mouse_over_effect = panel_config.mouse_effects;
 		launcherIcon->area.has_mouse_press_effect = launcherIcon->area.has_mouse_over_effect;
 		launcherIcon->area.bg = launcher_icon_bg;
-		launcherIcon->area.gradients = launcher_icon_gradients;
 		launcherIcon->area.on_screen = TRUE;
 		launcherIcon->area.posx = -1;
 		launcherIcon->area._on_change_layout = launcher_icon_on_change_layout;
diff --git a/src/panel.c b/src/panel.c
index 91c52ee..f079eac 100644
--- a/src/panel.c
+++ b/src/panel.c
@@ -156,8 +156,10 @@ void cleanup_panel()
 
 	free_area(&panel_config.area);
 
-	if (backgrounds)
-		g_array_free(backgrounds, TRUE);
+	if (backgrounds) {
+		for (guint i = 0; i < backgrounds->len; i++)
+			cleanup_background(&g_array_index(backgrounds, Background, i));
+	}
 	backgrounds = NULL;
 	if (gradients) {
 		for (guint i = 0; i < gradients->len; i++)
@@ -201,7 +203,6 @@ void init_panel()
 	panels = calloc(num_panels, sizeof(Panel));
 	for (int i = 0; i < num_panels; i++) {
 		memcpy(&panels[i], &panel_config, sizeof(Panel));
-		panels[i].area.gradients = g_list_copy(panel_config.area.gradients);
 	}
 
 	fprintf(stderr,
diff --git a/src/taskbar/task.c b/src/taskbar/task.c
index e21a86e..97a60e6 100644
--- a/src/taskbar/task.c
+++ b/src/taskbar/task.c
@@ -611,7 +611,6 @@ void set_task_state(Task *task, TaskState state)
 				task1->current_state = state;
 				task1->area.bg = panels[0].g_task.background[state];
 				free_area_gradient_instances(&task1->area);
-				task1->area.gradients = g_list_copy(panels[0].g_task.gradient[state]);
 				instantiate_area_gradients(&task1->area);
 				schedule_redraw(&task1->area);
 				if (state == TASK_ACTIVE && g_slist_find(urgent_list, task1))
diff --git a/src/taskbar/taskbar.c b/src/taskbar/taskbar.c
index b1e51fd..a9aa9cb 100644
--- a/src/taskbar/taskbar.c
+++ b/src/taskbar/taskbar.c
@@ -318,12 +318,10 @@ void init_taskbar_panel(void *p)
 		if (j == server.desktop) {
 			taskbar->area.bg = panel->g_taskbar.background[TASKBAR_ACTIVE];
 			free_area_gradient_instances(&taskbar->area);
-			taskbar->area.gradients = g_list_copy(panel->g_taskbar.gradient[TASKBAR_ACTIVE]);
 			instantiate_area_gradients(&taskbar->area);
 		} else {
 			taskbar->area.bg = panel->g_taskbar.background[TASKBAR_NORMAL];
 			free_area_gradient_instances(&taskbar->area);
-			taskbar->area.gradients = g_list_copy(panel->g_taskbar.gradient[TASKBAR_NORMAL]);
 			instantiate_area_gradients(&taskbar->area);
 		}
 
@@ -514,13 +512,11 @@ void set_taskbar_state(Taskbar *taskbar, TaskbarState state)
 {
 	taskbar->area.bg = panels[0].g_taskbar.background[state];
 	free_area_gradient_instances(&taskbar->area);
-	taskbar->area.gradients = g_list_copy(panels[0].g_taskbar.gradient[state]);
 	instantiate_area_gradients(&taskbar->area);
 
 	if (taskbarname_enabled) {
 		taskbar->bar_name.area.bg = panels[0].g_taskbar.background_name[state];
 		free_area_gradient_instances(&taskbar->bar_name.area);
-		taskbar->bar_name.area.gradients = g_list_copy(panels[0].g_taskbar.gradient_name[state]);
 		instantiate_area_gradients(&taskbar->bar_name.area);
 	}
 
diff --git a/src/taskbar/taskbarname.c b/src/taskbar/taskbarname.c
index b7eebf4..3a3da2a 100644
--- a/src/taskbar/taskbarname.c
+++ b/src/taskbar/taskbarname.c
@@ -64,10 +64,8 @@ void init_taskbarname_panel(void *p)
 		taskbar->bar_name.area._compute_desired_size = taskbarname_compute_desired_size;
 		if (j == server.desktop) {
 			taskbar->bar_name.area.bg = panel->g_taskbar.background_name[TASKBAR_ACTIVE];
-			taskbar->bar_name.area.gradients = g_list_copy(panel->g_taskbar.gradient_name[TASKBAR_ACTIVE]);
 		} else {
 			taskbar->bar_name.area.bg = panel->g_taskbar.background_name[TASKBAR_NORMAL];
-			taskbar->bar_name.area.gradients = g_list_copy(panel->g_taskbar.gradient_name[TASKBAR_NORMAL]);
 		}
 
 		// use desktop number if name is missing
diff --git a/src/util/area.c b/src/util/area.c
index be72f4e..11da1a7 100644
--- a/src/util/area.c
+++ b/src/util/area.c
@@ -40,6 +40,16 @@ void init_background(Background *bg)
 	bg->border.mask = BORDER_TOP | BORDER_BOTTOM | BORDER_LEFT | BORDER_RIGHT;
 }
 
+void cleanup_background(Background *bg)
+{
+	if (debug_gradients)
+		fprintf(stderr, YELLOW "freeing gradient list %p" RESET "\n", (void*)bg->gradients);
+	for (int i = 0; i < MOUSE_STATE_COUNT; i++) {
+		g_list_free(bg->gradients[i]);
+		bg->gradients[i] = NULL;
+	}
+}
+
 void initialize_positions(void *obj, int offset)
 {
 	Area *a = (Area *)obj;
@@ -517,7 +527,7 @@ void draw_background(Area *a, cairo_t *c)
 
 		cairo_fill(c);
 	}
-	for (GList *l = a->gradient_instances; l; l = l->next) {
+	for (GList *l = a->gradient_instances_by_state[a->mouse_state]; l; l = l->next) {
 		GradientInstance *gi = (GradientInstance *)l->data;
 		if (!gi->pattern)
 			update_gradient(gi);
@@ -624,10 +634,6 @@ void free_area(Area *a)
 		mouse_over_area = NULL;
 	}
 	free_area_gradient_instances(a);
-	if (debug_gradients)
-		fprintf(stderr, YELLOW "freeing gradient list %p" RESET "\n", (void*)a->gradients);
-	g_list_free(a->gradients);
-	a->gradients = NULL;
 }
 
 void mouse_over(Area *area, int pressed)
@@ -653,8 +659,7 @@ void mouse_over(Area *area, int pressed)
 	mouse_over_area = area;
 
 	mouse_over_area->mouse_state = new_state;
-	mouse_over_area->pix =
-	    mouse_over_area->pix_by_state[mouse_over_area->has_mouse_over_effect ? mouse_over_area->mouse_state : 0];
+	mouse_over_area->pix = mouse_over_area->pix_by_state[mouse_over_area->mouse_state];
 	if (!mouse_over_area->pix)
 		mouse_over_area->_redraw_needed = TRUE;
 	panel_refresh = TRUE;
@@ -665,8 +670,7 @@ void mouse_out()
 	if (!mouse_over_area)
 		return;
 	mouse_over_area->mouse_state = MOUSE_NORMAL;
-	mouse_over_area->pix =
-	    mouse_over_area->pix_by_state[mouse_over_area->has_mouse_over_effect ? mouse_over_area->mouse_state : 0];
+	mouse_over_area->pix = mouse_over_area->pix_by_state[mouse_over_area->mouse_state];
 	if (!mouse_over_area->pix)
 		mouse_over_area->_redraw_needed = TRUE;
 	panel_refresh = TRUE;
@@ -956,14 +960,16 @@ void free_gradient_instance(GradientInstance *gi)
 
 void instantiate_area_gradients(Area *area)
 {
-	g_assert_null(area->gradient_instances);
 	if (debug_gradients)
 		fprintf(stderr, "Initializing gradients for area %s\n", area->name);
-	for (GList *l = area->gradients; l; l = l->next) {
-		GradientClass *g = (GradientClass *)l->data;
-		GradientInstance *gi = (GradientInstance *)calloc(1, sizeof(GradientInstance));
-		instantiate_gradient(area, g, gi);
-		area->gradient_instances = g_list_append(area->gradient_instances, gi);
+	for (int i = 0; i < MOUSE_STATE_COUNT; i++) {
+		g_assert_null(area->gradient_instances_by_state[i]);
+		for (GList *l = area->bg->gradients[i]; l; l = l->next) {
+			GradientClass *g = (GradientClass *)l->data;
+			GradientInstance *gi = (GradientInstance *)calloc(1, sizeof(GradientInstance));
+			instantiate_gradient(area, g, gi);
+			area->gradient_instances_by_state[i] = g_list_append(area->gradient_instances_by_state[i], gi);
+		}
 	}
 }
 
@@ -971,12 +977,14 @@ void free_area_gradient_instances(Area *area)
 {
 	if (debug_gradients)
 		fprintf(stderr, "Freeing gradients for area %s\n", area->name);
-	for (GList *l = area->gradient_instances; l; l = l->next) {
-		GradientInstance *gi = (GradientInstance *)l->data;
-		free_gradient_instance(gi);
+	for (int i = 0; i < MOUSE_STATE_COUNT; i++) {
+		for (GList *l = area->gradient_instances_by_state[i]; l; l = l->next) {
+			GradientInstance *gi = (GradientInstance *)l->data;
+			free_gradient_instance(gi);
+		}
+		g_list_free_full(area->gradient_instances_by_state[i], free);
+		area->gradient_instances_by_state[i] = NULL;
 	}
-	g_list_free_full(area->gradient_instances, free);
-	area->gradient_instances = NULL;
 	g_assert_null(area->dependent_gradients);
 }
 
diff --git a/src/util/area.h b/src/util/area.h
index 2ef300b..cc1fb75 100644
--- a/src/util/area.h
+++ b/src/util/area.h
@@ -140,6 +140,8 @@ typedef struct Border {
 	int mask;
 } Border;
 
+typedef enum MouseState { MOUSE_NORMAL = 0, MOUSE_OVER = 1, MOUSE_DOWN = 2, MOUSE_STATE_COUNT } MouseState;
+
 typedef struct Background {
 	// Normal state
 	Color fill_color;
@@ -150,6 +152,8 @@ typedef struct Background {
 	// On mouse press
 	Color fill_color_pressed;
 	Color border_color_pressed;
+	// Each list element is a pointer to a GradientClass (list can be empty), no ownership
+	GList *gradients[MOUSE_STATE_COUNT];
 } Background;
 
 typedef enum Layout {
@@ -163,8 +167,6 @@ typedef enum Alignment {
 	ALIGN_RIGHT = 2,
 } Alignment;
 
-typedef enum MouseState { MOUSE_NORMAL = 0, MOUSE_OVER = 1, MOUSE_DOWN = 2, MOUSE_STATE_COUNT } MouseState;
-
 struct Panel;
 
 typedef struct Area {
@@ -174,10 +176,8 @@ typedef struct Area {
 	int width, height;
 	int old_width, old_height;
 	Background *bg;
-	// Each element is a pointer to a GradientClass (list can be empty), no ownership
-	GList *gradients;
 	// Each element is a GradientInstance attached to this Area (list can be empty)
-	GList *gradient_instances;
+	GList *gradient_instances_by_state[MOUSE_STATE_COUNT];
 	// Each element is a GradientInstance that depends on this Area's geometry (position or size)
 	GList *dependent_gradients;
 	// List of children, each one a pointer to Area
@@ -244,6 +244,7 @@ typedef struct Area {
 
 // Initializes the Background member to default values.
 void init_background(Background *bg);
+void cleanup_background(Background *bg);
 
 // Layout