diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index 1e0979b..39db477 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -16,6 +16,7 @@ and this project adheres to [Semantic Versioning](https://semver.org/spec/v2.0.0
 - Added internal proxy configuration for npm, pip, helm, and apt (#51)
 
 ### Changed
+- Adjusted dark mode color palette to use lighter background tones for better readability and reduced eye strain (#52)
 - Improved pod naming: Orchard pods now named `orchard-{env}-server-*` for clarity (#51)
 
 ### Fixed
diff --git a/frontend/src/components/Layout.css b/frontend/src/components/Layout.css
index bad02a8..2333c0f 100644
--- a/frontend/src/components/Layout.css
+++ b/frontend/src/components/Layout.css
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@
   top: 0;
   z-index: 100;
   backdrop-filter: blur(12px);
-  background: rgba(17, 17, 19, 0.85);
+  background: rgba(37, 37, 41, 0.85);
 }
 
 .header-content {
diff --git a/frontend/src/index.css b/frontend/src/index.css
index de0f6ef..5a3621c 100644
--- a/frontend/src/index.css
+++ b/frontend/src/index.css
@@ -5,12 +5,12 @@
 }
 
 :root {
-  /* Dark mode color palette */
-  --bg-primary: #0a0a0b;
-  --bg-secondary: #111113;
-  --bg-tertiary: #1a1a1d;
-  --bg-elevated: #222225;
-  --bg-hover: #2a2a2e;
+  /* Dark mode color palette - lighter tones for better readability */
+  --bg-primary: #1e1e22;
+  --bg-secondary: #252529;
+  --bg-tertiary: #2d2d32;
+  --bg-elevated: #35353a;
+  --bg-hover: #3d3d42;
 
   /* Accent colors - Green/Emerald theme */
   --accent-primary: #10b981;
@@ -24,9 +24,9 @@
   --text-tertiary: #9ca3af;
   --text-muted: #6b7280;
 
-  /* Border colors */
-  --border-primary: #27272a;
-  --border-secondary: #3f3f46;
+  /* Border colors - slightly more visible */
+  --border-primary: #37373d;
+  --border-secondary: #48484e;
   --border-accent: #10b981;
 
   /* Status colors */