diff --git a/qutebrowser/browser/downloads.py b/qutebrowser/browser/downloads.py
index 6d12761f6..e30147e10 100644
--- a/qutebrowser/browser/downloads.py
+++ b/qutebrowser/browser/downloads.py
@@ -356,12 +356,16 @@ class DownloadItem(QObject):
         if reply.error() != QNetworkReply.NoError:
             QTimer.singleShot(0, lambda: self.error.emit(reply.errorString()))
 
-    def bg_color(self):
-        """Background color to be shown."""
-        start = config.get('colors', 'downloads.bg.start')
-        stop = config.get('colors', 'downloads.bg.stop')
-        system = config.get('colors', 'downloads.bg.system')
-        error = config.get('colors', 'downloads.bg.error')
+    def get_status_color(self, position):
+        """Choose an appropriate color for presenting the download's status.
+
+        Args:
+            position: The color type requested, can be 'fg' or 'bg'.
+        """
+        start = config.get('colors', 'downloads.{}.start'.format(position))
+        stop = config.get('colors', 'downloads.{}.stop'.format(position))
+        system = config.get('colors', 'downloads.{}.system'.format(position))
+        error = config.get('colors', 'downloads.{}.error'.format(position))
         if self.error_msg is not None:
             assert not self.successful
             return error
@@ -1020,9 +1024,9 @@ class DownloadManager(QAbstractListModel):
         if role == Qt.DisplayRole:
             data = str(item)
         elif role == Qt.ForegroundRole:
-            data = config.get('colors', 'downloads.fg')
+            data = item.get_status_color('fg')
         elif role == Qt.BackgroundRole:
-            data = item.bg_color()
+            data = item.get_status_color('bg')
         elif role == ModelRole.item:
             data = item
         elif role == Qt.ToolTipRole:
diff --git a/qutebrowser/config/configdata.py b/qutebrowser/config/configdata.py
index ad321b73d..db16a2bbf 100644
--- a/qutebrowser/config/configdata.py
+++ b/qutebrowser/config/configdata.py
@@ -930,26 +930,38 @@ def data(readonly=False):
              SettingValue(typ.CssColor(), 'green'),
              "Font color for the matched part of hints."),
 
-            ('downloads.fg',
-             SettingValue(typ.QtColor(), '#ffffff'),
-             "Foreground color for downloads."),
-
             ('downloads.bg.bar',
              SettingValue(typ.QssColor(), 'black'),
              "Background color for the download bar."),
 
+            ('downloads.fg.start',
+             SettingValue(typ.QtColor(), '#0000aa'),
+             "Color gradient start for downloads."),
+
             ('downloads.bg.start',
              SettingValue(typ.QtColor(), '#0000aa'),
              "Color gradient start for downloads."),
 
+            ('downloads.fg.stop',
+             SettingValue(typ.QtColor(), '#00aa00'),
+             "Color gradient end for downloads."),
+
             ('downloads.bg.stop',
              SettingValue(typ.QtColor(), '#00aa00'),
              "Color gradient end for downloads."),
 
+            ('downloads.fg.system',
+             SettingValue(typ.ColorSystem(), 'rgb'),
+             "Color gradient interpolation system for downloads."),
+
             ('downloads.bg.system',
              SettingValue(typ.ColorSystem(), 'rgb'),
              "Color gradient interpolation system for downloads."),
 
+            ('downloads.fg.error',
+             SettingValue(typ.QtColor(), 'red'),
+             "Foreground color for downloads with errors."),
+
             ('downloads.bg.error',
              SettingValue(typ.QtColor(), 'red'),
              "Background color for downloads with errors."),