diff --git a/src/toad/widgets/channels_sidebar.py b/src/toad/widgets/channels_sidebar.py
index 2eca9fdcf..d4e913dd6 100644
--- a/src/toad/widgets/channels_sidebar.py
+++ b/src/toad/widgets/channels_sidebar.py
@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@
 
 
 class ChannelsSidebar(SideBar):
+    COMPOSITING_LAYER = True
     def __init__(self, *, observe: bool = True, defer_mount: bool = False) -> None:
         self.roster = CommsSidebar(observe=observe)
         super().__init__(
diff --git a/src/toad/widgets/footer.py b/src/toad/widgets/footer.py
index c1edef3f7..68d263cd5 100644
--- a/src/toad/widgets/footer.py
+++ b/src/toad/widgets/footer.py
@@ -69,6 +69,7 @@ class ToadFooter(
     Footer,
     setting='ui.footer',
 ):
+    COMPOSITING_LAYER = True
     # The footer's tone shows through: no stylesheet paint over it.
     tone = FooterToneColour
     key_type = ToadFooterKey
diff --git a/src/toad/workspace_chrome.py b/src/toad/workspace_chrome.py
index 6ac45b9e8..a58e0b378 100644
--- a/src/toad/workspace_chrome.py
+++ b/src/toad/workspace_chrome.py
@@ -28,6 +28,7 @@
 
 
 class WorkspaceHeader(FollowsLayoutPreferences, TonePaint, WidgetView, Horizontal):
+    COMPOSITING_LAYER = True
     tone = HeaderToneColour
     width = FILL
     height = AUTO