diff --git a/buffer/buffer.go b/buffer/buffer.go
index fe0f127..4130386 100644
--- a/buffer/buffer.go
+++ b/buffer/buffer.go
@@ -361,7 +361,7 @@ func (buffer *Buffer) RestoreCursor() {
 }
 
 func (buffer *Buffer) CursorAttr() *CellAttributes {
-	return &buffer.terminalState.cursorAttr
+	return &buffer.terminalState.CursorAttr
 }
 
 func (buffer *Buffer) GetCell(viewCol uint16, viewRow uint16) *Cell {
@@ -391,7 +391,12 @@ func (buffer *Buffer) CursorColumn() uint16 {
 	return buffer.terminalState.cursorX
 }
 
-// Line returns cursor line
+// CursorLineAbsolute returns absolute cursor line coordinate (ignoring Origin Mode)
+func (buffer *Buffer) CursorLineAbsolute() uint16 {
+	return buffer.terminalState.cursorY
+}
+
+// CursorLine returns cursor line (in Origin Mode it is relative to the top margin)
 func (buffer *Buffer) CursorLine() uint16 {
 	if buffer.terminalState.OriginMode {
 		result := buffer.terminalState.cursorY - uint16(buffer.terminalState.topMargin)
@@ -502,7 +507,7 @@ func (buffer *Buffer) InsertBlankCharacters(count int) {
 	index := int(buffer.RawLine())
 	for i := 0; i < count; i++ {
 		cells := buffer.lines[index].cells
-		buffer.lines[index].cells = append(cells[:buffer.terminalState.cursorX], append([]Cell{buffer.terminalState.defaultCell}, cells[buffer.terminalState.cursorX:]...)...)
+		buffer.lines[index].cells = append(cells[:buffer.terminalState.cursorX], append([]Cell{buffer.terminalState.DefaultCell(true)}, cells[buffer.terminalState.cursorX:]...)...)
 	}
 }
 
@@ -619,9 +624,9 @@ func (buffer *Buffer) Write(runes ...rune) {
 			}
 
 			for int(buffer.CursorColumn()) >= len(line.cells) {
-				line.cells = append(line.cells, buffer.terminalState.defaultCell)
+				line.cells = append(line.cells, buffer.terminalState.DefaultCell(int(buffer.CursorColumn()) == len(line.cells)))
 			}
-			line.cells[buffer.terminalState.cursorX].attr = buffer.terminalState.cursorAttr
+			line.cells[buffer.terminalState.cursorX].attr = buffer.terminalState.CursorAttr
 			line.cells[buffer.terminalState.cursorX].setRune(r)
 			buffer.incrementCursorPosition()
 			continue
@@ -635,11 +640,11 @@ func (buffer *Buffer) Write(runes ...rune) {
 
 				newLine := buffer.getCurrentLine()
 				if len(newLine.cells) == 0 {
-					newLine.cells = append(newLine.cells, buffer.terminalState.defaultCell)
+					newLine.cells = append(newLine.cells, buffer.terminalState.DefaultCell(true))
 				}
 				cell := &newLine.cells[0]
 				cell.setRune(r)
-				cell.attr = buffer.terminalState.cursorAttr
+				cell.attr = buffer.terminalState.CursorAttr
 
 			} else {
 				// no more room on line and wrapping is disabled
@@ -650,12 +655,12 @@ func (buffer *Buffer) Write(runes ...rune) {
 		} else {
 
 			for int(buffer.CursorColumn()) >= len(line.cells) {
-				line.cells = append(line.cells, buffer.terminalState.defaultCell)
+				line.cells = append(line.cells, buffer.terminalState.DefaultCell(int(buffer.CursorColumn()) == len(line.cells)))
 			}
 
 			cell := &line.cells[buffer.CursorColumn()]
 			cell.setRune(r)
-			cell.attr = buffer.terminalState.cursorAttr
+			cell.attr = buffer.terminalState.CursorAttr
 		}
 
 		buffer.incrementCursorPosition()
@@ -848,7 +853,7 @@ func (buffer *Buffer) EraseLineToCursor() {
 	line := buffer.getCurrentLine()
 	for i := 0; i <= int(buffer.terminalState.cursorX); i++ {
 		if i < len(line.cells) {
-			line.cells[i].erase(buffer.terminalState.defaultCell.attr.BgColour)
+			line.cells[i].erase(buffer.terminalState.CursorAttr.BgColour)
 		}
 	}
 }
@@ -909,7 +914,7 @@ func (buffer *Buffer) EraseCharacters(n int) {
 	}
 
 	for i := int(buffer.terminalState.cursorX); i < max; i++ {
-		line.cells[i].erase(buffer.terminalState.defaultCell.attr.BgColour)
+		line.cells[i].erase(buffer.terminalState.CursorAttr.BgColour)
 	}
 }
 
@@ -939,7 +944,7 @@ func (buffer *Buffer) EraseDisplayToCursor() {
 		if i >= len(line.cells) {
 			break
 		}
-		line.cells[i].erase(buffer.terminalState.defaultCell.attr.BgColour)
+		line.cells[i].erase(buffer.terminalState.CursorAttr.BgColour)
 	}
 	for i := uint16(0); i < buffer.terminalState.cursorY; i++ {
 		rawLine := buffer.convertViewLineToRawLine(i)
@@ -1086,3 +1091,11 @@ func (buffer *Buffer) Compare(path string) bool {
 	}
 	return bytes.Equal(f, bufferContent)
 }
+
+func (buffer *Buffer) ReverseVideo() {
+	defer buffer.emitDisplayChange()
+
+	for _, line := range buffer.lines {
+		line.ReverseVideo()
+	}
+}
diff --git a/buffer/buffer_test.go b/buffer/buffer_test.go
index 415b698..00c998b 100644
--- a/buffer/buffer_test.go
+++ b/buffer/buffer_test.go
@@ -393,7 +393,7 @@ func TestGetCellWithBadCursor(t *testing.T) {
 
 func TestCursorAttr(t *testing.T) {
 	b := NewBuffer(NewTerminalState(80, 2, CellAttributes{}, 1000))
-	assert.Equal(t, &b.terminalState.cursorAttr, b.CursorAttr())
+	assert.Equal(t, &b.terminalState.CursorAttr, b.CursorAttr())
 }
 
 func TestCursorPositionQuerying(t *testing.T) {
diff --git a/buffer/cell.go b/buffer/cell.go
index 98690e3..a0fa159 100644
--- a/buffer/cell.go
+++ b/buffer/cell.go
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@ type CellAttributes struct {
 	Dim       bool
 	Underline bool
 	Blink     bool
-	Reverse   bool
+	Inverse   bool
 	Hidden    bool
 }
 
@@ -40,20 +40,20 @@ func (cell *Cell) Rune() rune {
 }
 
 func (cell *Cell) Fg() [3]float32 {
-	if cell.Attr().Reverse {
+	if cell.Attr().Inverse {
 		return cell.attr.BgColour
 	}
 	return cell.attr.FgColour
 }
 
 func (cell *Cell) Bg() [3]float32 {
-	if cell.Attr().Reverse {
+	if cell.Attr().Inverse {
 		return cell.attr.FgColour
 	}
 	return cell.attr.BgColour
 }
 
-func (cell *Cell) erase(bgColour  [3]float32) {
+func (cell *Cell) erase(bgColour [3]float32) {
 	cell.setRune(0)
 	cell.attr.BgColour = bgColour
 }
@@ -69,3 +69,9 @@ func NewBackgroundCell(colour [3]float32) Cell {
 		},
 	}
 }
+
+func (cellAttr *CellAttributes) ReverseVideo() {
+	oldFgColour := cellAttr.FgColour
+	cellAttr.FgColour = cellAttr.BgColour
+	cellAttr.BgColour = oldFgColour
+}
diff --git a/buffer/line.go b/buffer/line.go
index e86e059..3099b3b 100644
--- a/buffer/line.go
+++ b/buffer/line.go
@@ -20,6 +20,12 @@ func (line *Line) Cells() []Cell {
 	return line.cells
 }
 
+func (line *Line) ReverseVideo() {
+	for i, _ := range line.cells {
+		line.cells[i].attr.ReverseVideo()
+	}
+}
+
 // Cleanse removes null bytes from the end of the row
 func (line *Line) Cleanse() {
 	cut := 0
diff --git a/buffer/terminal_state.go b/buffer/terminal_state.go
index f30ceb3..a8948ce 100644
--- a/buffer/terminal_state.go
+++ b/buffer/terminal_state.go
@@ -4,8 +4,7 @@ type TerminalState struct {
 	scrollLinesFromBottom uint
 	cursorX               uint16
 	cursorY               uint16
-	cursorAttr            CellAttributes
-	defaultCell           Cell
+	CursorAttr            CellAttributes
 	viewHeight            uint16
 	viewWidth             uint16
 	topMargin             uint // see DECSTBM docs - this is for scrollable regions
@@ -13,6 +12,7 @@ type TerminalState struct {
 	ReplaceMode           bool // overwrite character at cursor or insert new
 	OriginMode            bool // see DECOM docs - whether cursor is positioned within the margins or not
 	LineFeedMode          bool
+	ScreenMode            bool // DECSCNM (black on white background)
 	AutoWrap              bool
 	maxLines              uint64
 	tabStops              map[uint16]struct{}
@@ -23,9 +23,8 @@ func NewTerminalState(viewCols uint16, viewLines uint16, attr CellAttributes, ma
 	b := &TerminalState{
 		cursorX:      0,
 		cursorY:      0,
-		cursorAttr:   attr,
+		CursorAttr:   attr,
 		AutoWrap:     true,
-		defaultCell:  Cell{attr: attr},
 		maxLines:     maxLines,
 		viewWidth:    viewCols,
 		viewHeight:   viewLines,
@@ -36,6 +35,19 @@ func NewTerminalState(viewCols uint16, viewLines uint16, attr CellAttributes, ma
 	return b
 }
 
+func (terminalState *TerminalState) DefaultCell(applyEffects bool) Cell {
+	attr := terminalState.CursorAttr
+	if !applyEffects {
+		attr.Blink = false
+		attr.Bold = false
+		attr.Dim = false
+		attr.Inverse = false
+		attr.Underline = false
+		attr.Dim = false
+	}
+	return Cell{attr: attr}
+}
+
 func (terminalState *TerminalState) SetVerticalMargins(top uint, bottom uint) {
 	terminalState.topMargin = top
 	terminalState.bottomMargin = bottom
diff --git a/gui/gui.go b/gui/gui.go
index 686db93..ace0b0e 100644
--- a/gui/gui.go
+++ b/gui/gui.go
@@ -48,6 +48,7 @@ type GUI struct {
 	resizeLock        *sync.Mutex
 	handCursor        *glfw.Cursor
 	arrowCursor       *glfw.Cursor
+	defaultCell       *buffer.Cell
 
 	prevLeftClickX    uint16
 	prevLeftClickY    uint16
@@ -185,6 +186,22 @@ func (gui *GUI) resizeToTerminal(newCols uint, newRows uint) {
 	gui.window.SetSize(roundedWidth, roundedHeight) // will trigger resize()
 }
 
+func (gui *GUI) generateDefaultCell(reverse bool) {
+	color := gui.config.ColourScheme.Background
+	if reverse {
+		color = gui.config.ColourScheme.Foreground
+	}
+	cell := buffer.NewBackgroundCell(color)
+	gui.renderer.backgroundColour = color
+	gui.defaultCell = &cell
+	gl.ClearColor(
+		color[0],
+		color[1],
+		color[2],
+		1.0,
+	)
+}
+
 // can only be called on OS thread
 func (gui *GUI) resize(w *glfw.Window, width int, height int) {
 
@@ -232,7 +249,7 @@ func (gui *GUI) resize(w *glfw.Window, width int, height int) {
 
 	gui.logger.Debugf("Resize complete!")
 
-	gui.redraw(buffer.NewBackgroundCell(gui.config.ColourScheme.Background))
+	gui.redraw()
 	gui.window.SwapBuffers()
 }
 
@@ -279,6 +296,7 @@ func (gui *GUI) Render() error {
 
 	titleChan := make(chan bool, 1)
 	resizeChan := make(chan bool, 1)
+	reverseChan := make(chan bool, 1)
 
 	gui.renderer = NewOpenGLRenderer(gui.config, gui.fontMap, 0, 0, gui.width, gui.height, gui.colourAttr, program)
 
@@ -297,6 +315,8 @@ func (gui *GUI) Render() error {
 		}
 	})
 
+	gui.generateDefaultCell(false)
+
 	{
 		w, h := gui.window.GetFramebufferSize()
 		gui.resize(gui.window, w, h)
@@ -320,21 +340,13 @@ func (gui *GUI) Render() error {
 	gl.Disable(gl.DEPTH_TEST)
 	gl.TexParameterf(gl.TEXTURE_2D, gl.TEXTURE_MAG_FILTER, gl.NEAREST)
 
-	gl.ClearColor(
-		gui.config.ColourScheme.Background[0],
-		gui.config.ColourScheme.Background[1],
-		gui.config.ColourScheme.Background[2],
-		1.0,
-	)
-
 	gui.terminal.AttachTitleChangeHandler(titleChan)
 	gui.terminal.AttachResizeHandler(resizeChan)
+	gui.terminal.AttachReverseHandler(reverseChan)
 
 	ticker := time.NewTicker(time.Second)
 	defer ticker.Stop()
 
-	defaultCell := buffer.NewBackgroundCell(gui.config.ColourScheme.Background)
-
 	go func() {
 		for {
 			<-ticker.C
@@ -359,20 +371,25 @@ func (gui *GUI) Render() error {
 
 	for !gui.window.ShouldClose() {
 
+		forceRedraw := false
+
 		select {
 		case <-titleChan:
 			gui.window.SetTitle(gui.terminal.GetTitle())
 		case <-resizeChan:
 			cols, rows := gui.terminal.GetSize()
 			gui.resizeToTerminal(uint(cols), uint(rows))
+		case reverse := <-reverseChan:
+			gui.generateDefaultCell(reverse)
+			forceRedraw = true
 		default:
 			// this is more efficient than glfw.PollEvents()
 			glfw.WaitEventsTimeout(0.02) // up to 50fps on no input, otherwise higher
 		}
 
-		if gui.terminal.CheckDirty() {
+		if gui.terminal.CheckDirty() || forceRedraw {
 
-			gui.redraw(defaultCell)
+			gui.redraw()
 
 			if gui.showDebugInfo {
 				gui.textbox(2, 2, fmt.Sprintf(`Cursor:      %d,%d
@@ -422,7 +439,7 @@ Buffer Size: %d lines
 
 }
 
-func (gui *GUI) redraw(defaultCell buffer.Cell) {
+func (gui *GUI) redraw() {
 	gl.Clear(gl.COLOR_BUFFER_BIT | gl.DEPTH_BUFFER_BIT | gl.STENCIL_BUFFER_BIT)
 	lines := gui.terminal.GetVisibleLines()
 	lineCount := int(gui.terminal.ActiveBuffer().ViewHeight())
@@ -446,18 +463,18 @@ func (gui *GUI) redraw(defaultCell buffer.Cell) {
 					colour = nil
 				}
 
-				cell := defaultCell
+				cell := gui.defaultCell
 				if colour != nil || cursor || x < len(cells) {
 
 					if x < len(cells) {
-						cell = cells[x]
+						cell = &cells[x]
 						if cell.Image() != nil {
-							gui.renderer.DrawCellImage(cell, uint(x), uint(y))
+							gui.renderer.DrawCellImage(*cell, uint(x), uint(y))
 							continue
 						}
 					}
 
-					gui.renderer.DrawCellBg(cell, uint(x), uint(y), cursor, colour, false)
+					gui.renderer.DrawCellBg(*cell, uint(x), uint(y), cursor, colour, false)
 				}
 
 			}
diff --git a/gui/renderer.go b/gui/renderer.go
index 0f9ab5e..6b81b7f 100644
--- a/gui/renderer.go
+++ b/gui/renderer.go
@@ -11,20 +11,21 @@ import (
 )
 
 type OpenGLRenderer struct {
-	areaWidth     int
-	areaHeight    int
-	areaX         int
-	areaY         int
-	cellWidth     float32
-	cellHeight    float32
-	termCols      uint
-	termRows      uint
-	cellPositions map[[2]uint][2]float32
-	config        *config.Config
-	colourAttr    uint32
-	program       uint32
-	textureMap    map[*image.RGBA]uint32
-	fontMap       *FontMap
+	areaWidth        int
+	areaHeight       int
+	areaX            int
+	areaY            int
+	cellWidth        float32
+	cellHeight       float32
+	termCols         uint
+	termRows         uint
+	cellPositions    map[[2]uint][2]float32
+	config           *config.Config
+	colourAttr       uint32
+	program          uint32
+	textureMap       map[*image.RGBA]uint32
+	fontMap          *FontMap
+	backgroundColour [3]float32
 }
 
 type rectangle struct {
@@ -185,7 +186,7 @@ func (r *OpenGLRenderer) GetRectangleSize(col uint, row uint) (float32, float32)
 
 func (r *OpenGLRenderer) getRectangle(col uint, row uint) *rectangle {
 	x := float32(float32(col) * r.cellWidth)
-	y := float32(float32(row) * r.cellHeight) + r.cellHeight
+	y := float32(float32(row)*r.cellHeight) + r.cellHeight
 
 	return r.newRectangle(x, y, r.colourAttr)
 }
@@ -207,13 +208,17 @@ func (r *OpenGLRenderer) DrawCellBg(cell buffer.Cell, col uint, row uint, cursor
 	} else {
 
 		if cursor {
-			bg = r.config.ColourScheme.Cursor
+			if r.config.ColourScheme.Cursor != r.backgroundColour {
+				bg = r.config.ColourScheme.Cursor
+			} else {
+				bg = cell.Fg()
+			}
 		} else {
 			bg = cell.Bg()
 		}
 	}
 
-	if bg != r.config.ColourScheme.Background || force {
+	if bg != r.backgroundColour || force {
 		rect := r.getRectangle(col, row)
 		rect.setColour(bg)
 		rect.Draw()
diff --git a/terminal/modes.go b/terminal/modes.go
index 5ba6c94..a851ddf 100644
--- a/terminal/modes.go
+++ b/terminal/modes.go
@@ -47,18 +47,13 @@ func csiSetMode(modeStr string, enabled bool, terminal *Terminal) error {
 			terminal.SetSize(80, uint(lines))
 		}
 		terminal.Clear()
-	/*
-		case "?4":
-			// DECSCLM
-			// @todo smooth scrolling / jump scrolling
-		case "?5":
-			// DECSCNM
-			if enabled {
-				// @todo SCreeN Mode, black on white background
-			} else {
-				// @todo Normal screen (white on black background)
-			}
-	*/
+		/*
+			case "?4":
+				// DECSCLM
+				// @todo smooth scrolling / jump scrolling
+		*/
+	case "?5": // DECSCNM
+		terminal.SetScreenMode(enabled)
 	case "?6":
 		// DECOM
 		terminal.SetOriginMode(enabled)
diff --git a/terminal/sgr.go b/terminal/sgr.go
index 87c40db..cc19451 100644
--- a/terminal/sgr.go
+++ b/terminal/sgr.go
@@ -35,7 +35,7 @@ func sgrSequenceHandler(params []string, terminal *Terminal) error {
 		case "5", "05":
 			terminal.ActiveBuffer().CursorAttr().Blink = true
 		case "7", "07":
-			terminal.ActiveBuffer().CursorAttr().Reverse = true
+			terminal.ActiveBuffer().CursorAttr().Inverse = true
 		case "8", "08":
 			terminal.ActiveBuffer().CursorAttr().Hidden = true
 		case "21":
@@ -49,7 +49,7 @@ func sgrSequenceHandler(params []string, terminal *Terminal) error {
 		case "25":
 			terminal.ActiveBuffer().CursorAttr().Blink = false
 		case "27":
-			terminal.ActiveBuffer().CursorAttr().Reverse = false
+			terminal.ActiveBuffer().CursorAttr().Inverse = false
 		case "28":
 			terminal.ActiveBuffer().CursorAttr().Hidden = false
 		case "29":
diff --git a/terminal/terminal.go b/terminal/terminal.go
index 025ec02..67ab419 100644
--- a/terminal/terminal.go
+++ b/terminal/terminal.go
@@ -41,6 +41,7 @@ type Terminal struct {
 	config                    *config.Config
 	titleHandlers             []chan bool
 	resizeHandlers            []chan bool
+	reverseHandlers           []chan bool
 	modes                     Modes
 	mouseMode                 MouseMode
 	bracketedPasteMode        bool
@@ -196,6 +197,10 @@ func (terminal *Terminal) AttachResizeHandler(handler chan bool) {
 	terminal.resizeHandlers = append(terminal.resizeHandlers, handler)
 }
 
+func (terminal *Terminal) AttachReverseHandler(handler chan bool) {
+	terminal.reverseHandlers = append(terminal.reverseHandlers, handler)
+}
+
 func (terminal *Terminal) Modes() Modes {
 	return terminal.modes
 }
@@ -216,6 +221,14 @@ func (terminal *Terminal) emitResize() {
 	}
 }
 
+func (terminal *Terminal) emitReverse(reverse bool) {
+	for _, h := range terminal.reverseHandlers {
+		go func(c chan bool) {
+			c <- reverse
+		}(h)
+	}
+}
+
 func (terminal *Terminal) GetLogicalCursorX() uint16 {
 	if terminal.ActiveBuffer().CursorColumn() >= terminal.ActiveBuffer().Width() {
 		return 0
@@ -226,10 +239,10 @@ func (terminal *Terminal) GetLogicalCursorX() uint16 {
 
 func (terminal *Terminal) GetLogicalCursorY() uint16 {
 	if terminal.ActiveBuffer().CursorColumn() >= terminal.ActiveBuffer().Width() {
-		return terminal.ActiveBuffer().CursorLine() + 1
+		return terminal.ActiveBuffer().CursorLineAbsolute() + 1
 	}
 
-	return terminal.ActiveBuffer().CursorLine()
+	return terminal.ActiveBuffer().CursorLineAbsolute()
 }
 
 func (terminal *Terminal) GetTitle() string {
@@ -349,3 +362,15 @@ func (terminal *Terminal) SetLineFeedMode() {
 func (terminal *Terminal) ResetVerticalMargins() {
 	terminal.terminalState.ResetVerticalMargins()
 }
+
+func (terminal *Terminal) SetScreenMode(enabled bool) {
+	if terminal.terminalState.ScreenMode == enabled {
+		return
+	}
+	terminal.terminalState.ScreenMode = enabled
+	terminal.terminalState.CursorAttr.ReverseVideo()
+	for _, buffer := range terminal.buffers {
+		buffer.ReverseVideo()
+	}
+	terminal.emitReverse(enabled)
+}