diff --git a/yazi-fm/src/bg_render.rs b/yazi-fm/src/bg_render.rs
index 8e02392d..e130de66 100644
--- a/yazi-fm/src/bg_render.rs
+++ b/yazi-fm/src/bg_render.rs
@@ -32,12 +32,18 @@ pub fn apply_pane_bg_no_vertical_borders(buf: &mut Buffer, pane: Rect, bg_color:
 	}
 }
 
-/// Apply background color to entire area
+/// Apply background color to entire area, excluding header and status bar
 #[inline]
 pub fn apply_overall_bg(buf: &mut Buffer, area: Rect, bg_color: Color) {
-	for y in area.top()..area.bottom() {
-		for x in area.left()..area.right() {
-			buf[(x, y)].set_bg(bg_color);
+	// Skip the header (top row) and status bar (bottom row)
+	let start_y = area.top() + 1;
+	let end_y = if area.bottom() > 0 { area.bottom() - 1 } else { area.bottom() };
+
+	if start_y < end_y {
+		for y in start_y..end_y {
+			for x in area.left()..area.right() {
+				buf[(x, y)].set_bg(bg_color);
+			}
 		}
 	}
 }