diff --git a/include/sway/commands.h b/include/sway/commands.h
index 5210d3ba7..3a385de30 100644
--- a/include/sway/commands.h
+++ b/include/sway/commands.h
@@ -245,6 +245,7 @@ sway_cmd bar_colors_cmd_focused_separator;
 sway_cmd bar_colors_cmd_statusline;
 sway_cmd bar_colors_cmd_focused_statusline;
 sway_cmd bar_colors_cmd_urgent_workspace;
+sway_cmd bar_colors_cmd_empty_workspace;
 
 sway_cmd input_cmd_seat;
 sway_cmd input_cmd_accel_profile;
diff --git a/include/sway/config.h b/include/sway/config.h
index bb770c6f7..e22de0f5b 100644
--- a/include/sway/config.h
+++ b/include/sway/config.h
@@ -394,6 +394,9 @@ struct bar_config {
 		char *urgent_workspace_border;
 		char *urgent_workspace_bg;
 		char *urgent_workspace_text;
+		char *empty_workspace_border;
+		char *empty_workspace_bg;
+		char *empty_workspace_text;
 		char *binding_mode_border;
 		char *binding_mode_bg;
 		char *binding_mode_text;
diff --git a/include/sway/tree/workspace.h b/include/sway/tree/workspace.h
index 58bde20cb..a2709858d 100644
--- a/include/sway/tree/workspace.h
+++ b/include/sway/tree/workspace.h
@@ -49,6 +49,7 @@ struct sway_workspace {
 	list_t *tiling;             // struct sway_container
 	list_t *output_priority;
 	bool urgent;
+	bool persistent;
 
 	struct sway_workspace_state current;
 };
diff --git a/include/swaybar/bar.h b/include/swaybar/bar.h
index 197d21901..612d4d443 100644
--- a/include/swaybar/bar.h
+++ b/include/swaybar/bar.h
@@ -88,6 +88,7 @@ struct swaybar_workspace {
 	bool focused;
 	bool visible;
 	bool urgent;
+	bool empty;
 };
 
 bool bar_setup(struct swaybar *bar, const char *socket_path);
diff --git a/include/swaybar/config.h b/include/swaybar/config.h
index 361acd991..b2d74fa3d 100644
--- a/include/swaybar/config.h
+++ b/include/swaybar/config.h
@@ -65,6 +65,7 @@ struct swaybar_config {
 		struct box_colors active_workspace;
 		struct box_colors inactive_workspace;
 		struct box_colors urgent_workspace;
+		struct box_colors empty_workspace;
 		struct box_colors binding_mode;
 	} colors;
 
diff --git a/sway/commands/bar/colors.c b/sway/commands/bar/colors.c
index 275fa3c64..01427f72d 100644
--- a/sway/commands/bar/colors.c
+++ b/sway/commands/bar/colors.c
@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@ static const struct cmd_handler bar_colors_handlers[] = {
 	{ "active_workspace", bar_colors_cmd_active_workspace },
 	{ "background", bar_colors_cmd_background },
 	{ "binding_mode", bar_colors_cmd_binding_mode },
+	{ "empty_workspace", bar_colors_cmd_empty_workspace },
 	{ "focused_background", bar_colors_cmd_focused_background },
 	{ "focused_separator", bar_colors_cmd_focused_separator },
 	{ "focused_statusline", bar_colors_cmd_focused_statusline },
@@ -150,3 +151,12 @@ struct cmd_results *bar_colors_cmd_urgent_workspace(int argc, char **argv) {
 	};
 	return parse_three_colors(colors, "urgent_workspace", argc, argv);
 }
+
+struct cmd_results *bar_colors_cmd_empty_workspace(int argc, char **argv) {
+	char **colors[3] = {
+		&(config->current_bar->colors.empty_workspace_border),
+		&(config->current_bar->colors.empty_workspace_bg),
+		&(config->current_bar->colors.empty_workspace_text)
+	};
+	return parse_three_colors(colors, "empty_workspace", argc, argv);
+}
diff --git a/sway/commands/workspace.c b/sway/commands/workspace.c
index a14ebb209..62f8e12b6 100644
--- a/sway/commands/workspace.c
+++ b/sway/commands/workspace.c
@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@
 #include "list.h"
 #include "log.h"
 #include "stringop.h"
+#include "util.h"
 
 static struct workspace_config *workspace_config_find_or_create(char *ws_name) {
 	struct workspace_config *wsc = workspace_find_config(ws_name);
@@ -129,6 +130,7 @@ struct cmd_results *cmd_workspace(int argc, char **argv) {
 
 	int output_location = -1;
 	int gaps_location = -1;
+	int persistent_location = -1;
 
 	for (int i = 0; i < argc; ++i) {
 		if (strcasecmp(argv[i], "output") == 0) {
@@ -142,6 +144,13 @@ struct cmd_results *cmd_workspace(int argc, char **argv) {
 			break;
 		}
 	}
+	for (int i = 0; i < argc; ++i) {
+		if (strcasecmp(argv[i], "persistent") == 0) {
+			persistent_location = i;
+			break;
+		}
+	}
+
 	if (output_location == 0) {
 		return cmd_results_new(CMD_INVALID,
 			"Expected 'workspace <name> output <output>'");
@@ -164,6 +173,24 @@ struct cmd_results *cmd_workspace(int argc, char **argv) {
 		if ((error = cmd_workspace_gaps(argc, argv, gaps_location))) {
 			return error;
 		}
+	} else if (persistent_location == 0) {
+		return cmd_results_new(CMD_INVALID,
+			"Expected 'workspace <name> persistent yes|no'");
+	} else if (persistent_location > 0) {
+		if ((error = checkarg(argc, "workspace", EXPECTED_AT_LEAST,
+						persistent_location + 2))) {
+			return error;
+		}
+
+		struct sway_workspace *ws = NULL;
+
+		char *ws_name = join_args(argv, persistent_location);
+		if (!(ws = workspace_by_name(ws_name))) {
+			ws = workspace_create(NULL, ws_name);
+		}
+		free(ws_name);
+		ws->persistent = parse_boolean(argv[persistent_location + 1], ws->persistent);
+		workspace_consider_destroy(ws);
 	} else {
 		if (config->reading || !config->active) {
 			return cmd_results_new(CMD_DEFER, NULL);
diff --git a/sway/config/bar.c b/sway/config/bar.c
index ecefb61af..580914475 100644
--- a/sway/config/bar.c
+++ b/sway/config/bar.c
@@ -67,6 +67,9 @@ void free_bar_config(struct bar_config *bar) {
 	free(bar->colors.urgent_workspace_border);
 	free(bar->colors.urgent_workspace_bg);
 	free(bar->colors.urgent_workspace_text);
+	free(bar->colors.empty_workspace_border);
+	free(bar->colors.empty_workspace_bg);
+	free(bar->colors.empty_workspace_text);
 	free(bar->colors.binding_mode_border);
 	free(bar->colors.binding_mode_bg);
 	free(bar->colors.binding_mode_text);
@@ -161,6 +164,15 @@ struct bar_config *default_bar_config(void) {
 	if (!(bar->colors.urgent_workspace_text = strndup("#ffffffff", 9))) {
 		goto cleanup;
 	}
+	if (!(bar->colors.empty_workspace_border = strndup("#000000ff", 9))) {
+		goto cleanup;
+	}
+	if (!(bar->colors.empty_workspace_bg = strndup("#000000ff", 9))) {
+		goto cleanup;
+	}
+	if (!(bar->colors.empty_workspace_text = strndup("#666666FF", 9))) {
+		goto cleanup;
+	}
 	// if the following colors stay undefined, they fall back to background,
 	// statusline, separator and urgent_workspace_*.
 	bar->colors.focused_background = NULL;
diff --git a/sway/ipc-json.c b/sway/ipc-json.c
index 142512eb2..4bfd473c5 100644
--- a/sway/ipc-json.c
+++ b/sway/ipc-json.c
@@ -511,6 +511,8 @@ static void ipc_json_describe_workspace(struct sway_workspace *workspace,
 			json_object_new_string(workspace->output->wlr_output->name) : NULL);
 	json_object_object_add(object, "urgent",
 			json_object_new_boolean(workspace->urgent));
+	json_object_object_add(object, "empty",
+			json_object_new_boolean(workspace_is_empty(workspace)));
 	json_object_object_add(object, "representation", workspace->representation ?
 			json_object_new_string(workspace->representation) : NULL);
 
@@ -1364,6 +1366,13 @@ json_object *ipc_json_describe_bar_config(struct bar_config *bar) {
 	json_object_object_add(colors, "urgent_workspace_text",
 			json_object_new_string(bar->colors.urgent_workspace_text));
 
+	json_object_object_add(colors, "empty_workspace_border",
+			json_object_new_string(bar->colors.empty_workspace_border));
+	json_object_object_add(colors, "empty_workspace_bg",
+			json_object_new_string(bar->colors.empty_workspace_bg));
+	json_object_object_add(colors, "empty_workspace_text",
+			json_object_new_string(bar->colors.empty_workspace_text));
+
 	if (bar->colors.binding_mode_border) {
 		json_object_object_add(colors, "binding_mode_border",
 				json_object_new_string(bar->colors.binding_mode_border));
diff --git a/sway/sway-bar.5.scd b/sway/sway-bar.5.scd
index a1733aa2b..6476f4c9a 100644
--- a/sway/sway-bar.5.scd
+++ b/sway/sway-bar.5.scd
@@ -228,6 +228,10 @@ must be defined in hex: _#RRGGBB_ or _#RRGGBBAA_.
 	Border, background and text color for a workspace button when the workspace
 	contains a window with the urgency hint set.
 
+*empty_workspace* <border> <background> <text>
+	Border, background and text color for a workspace button when the workspace
+	contains no windows and is not active.
+
 *binding_mode* <border> <background> <text>
 	Border, background and text color for the binding mode indicator. If not used,
 	the colors will be taken from _urgent_workspace_.
diff --git a/sway/sway-ipc.7.scd b/sway/sway-ipc.7.scd
index f39e35180..4b80447ac 100644
--- a/sway/sway-ipc.7.scd
+++ b/sway/sway-ipc.7.scd
@@ -139,6 +139,9 @@ has the following properties:
 |- urgent
 :  boolean
 :  Whether a view on the workspace has the urgent flag set
+|- empty
+:  boolean
+:  Whether the workspace is empty
 |- rect
 :  object
 :  The bounds of the workspace. It consists of _x_, _y_, _width_, and _height_
@@ -931,6 +934,15 @@ containing the _#RRGGBBAA_ representation of the color:
 |- urgent_workspace_border
 :  The color to use for the border of the workspace buttons for workspaces that
    contain an urgent view
+|- empty_workspace_text
+:  The color to use for the text of the workspace buttons for workspaces that
+   are empty
+|- empty_workspace_bg
+:  The color to use for the background of the workspace buttons for workspaces
+   that are empty
+|- empty_workspace_border
+:  The color to use for the border of the workspace buttons for workspaces that
+   are empty
 |- binding_mode_text
 :  The color to use for the text of the binding mode indicator
 |- binding_mode_bg
@@ -980,6 +992,9 @@ containing the _#RRGGBBAA_ representation of the color:
 		"urgent_workspace_border": "#2f343aff",
 		"urgent_workspace_bg": "#900000ff",
 		"urgent_workspace_text": "#ffffffff",
+		"empty_workspace_border": "#000000ff",
+		"empty_workspace_bg": "#000000ff",
+		"empty_workspace_text": "#666666ff",
 		"binding_mode_border": "#2f343aff",
 		"binding_mode_bg": "#900000ff",
 		"binding_mode_text": "#ffffffff"
@@ -1585,6 +1600,7 @@ The following change types are currently available:
 		"num": 2,
 		"output": "eDP-1",
 		"type": "workspace",
+		"empty": true,
 		"representation": null,
 		"nodes": [
 		]
diff --git a/sway/sway.5.scd b/sway/sway.5.scd
index 11468d777..872423154 100644
--- a/sway/sway.5.scd
+++ b/sway/sway.5.scd
@@ -961,6 +961,13 @@ The default colors are:
 	criteria (non-empty workspaces only) or _workspace_ command (to switch
 	to the workspace before moving).
 
+*workspace* <name> persistent yes|no
+	Specifies that workspace _name_ should not be destroyed when it is empty and
+	inactive.
+
+	This command will apply to an existing workspace or create it if it doesn't
+	exist.
+
 *workspace_auto_back_and_forth* yes|no
 	When _yes_, repeating a workspace switch command will switch back to the
 	prior workspace. For example, if you are currently on workspace 1,
diff --git a/sway/tree/workspace.c b/sway/tree/workspace.c
index a09dc3a45..035560852 100644
--- a/sway/tree/workspace.c
+++ b/sway/tree/workspace.c
@@ -89,6 +89,7 @@ struct sway_workspace *workspace_create(struct sway_output *output,
 	ws->floating = create_list();
 	ws->tiling = create_list();
 	ws->output_priority = create_list();
+	ws->persistent = false;
 
 	ws->gaps_outer = config->gaps_outer;
 	ws->gaps_inner = config->gaps_inner;
@@ -187,6 +188,11 @@ void workspace_consider_destroy(struct sway_workspace *ws) {
 		}
 	}
 
+	if (ws->persistent) {
+		ipc_event_workspace(NULL, ws, "empty");
+		return;
+	}
+
 	workspace_begin_destroy(ws);
 }
 
diff --git a/swaybar/config.c b/swaybar/config.c
index 55bfcb722..1da562b91 100644
--- a/swaybar/config.c
+++ b/swaybar/config.c
@@ -72,6 +72,10 @@ struct swaybar_config *init_config(void) {
 	config->colors.urgent_workspace.background = 0x900000FF;
 	config->colors.urgent_workspace.text = 0xFFFFFFFF;
 
+	config->colors.empty_workspace.border = 0x000000FF;
+	config->colors.empty_workspace.background = 0x000000FF;
+	config->colors.empty_workspace.text = 0x666666FF;
+
 	config->colors.binding_mode.border = 0x2F343AFF;
 	config->colors.binding_mode.background = 0x900000FF;
 	config->colors.binding_mode.text = 0xFFFFFFFF;
diff --git a/swaybar/ipc.c b/swaybar/ipc.c
index f651f0359..05e0d76ca 100644
--- a/swaybar/ipc.c
+++ b/swaybar/ipc.c
@@ -77,6 +77,9 @@ static void ipc_parse_colors(
 		{ "urgent_workspace_border", &config->colors.urgent_workspace.border },
 		{ "urgent_workspace_bg", &config->colors.urgent_workspace.background },
 		{ "urgent_workspace_text", &config->colors.urgent_workspace.text },
+		{ "empty_workspace_border", &config->colors.empty_workspace.border },
+		{ "empty_workspace_bg", &config->colors.empty_workspace.background },
+		{ "empty_workspace_text", &config->colors.empty_workspace.text },
 		{ "binding_mode_border", &config->colors.binding_mode.border },
 		{ "binding_mode_bg", &config->colors.binding_mode.background },
 		{ "binding_mode_text", &config->colors.binding_mode.text },
@@ -355,7 +358,7 @@ bool ipc_get_workspaces(struct swaybar *bar) {
 	bar->visible_by_urgency = false;
 	size_t length = json_object_array_length(results);
 	json_object *ws_json;
-	json_object *num, *name, *visible, *focused, *out, *urgent;
+	json_object *num, *name, *visible, *focused, *out, *urgent, *empty;
 	for (size_t i = 0; i < length; ++i) {
 		ws_json = json_object_array_get_idx(results, i);
 
@@ -365,6 +368,7 @@ bool ipc_get_workspaces(struct swaybar *bar) {
 		json_object_object_get_ex(ws_json, "focused", &focused);
 		json_object_object_get_ex(ws_json, "output", &out);
 		json_object_object_get_ex(ws_json, "urgent", &urgent);
+		json_object_object_get_ex(ws_json, "empty", &empty);
 
 		wl_list_for_each(output, &bar->outputs, link) {
 			const char *ws_output = json_object_get_string(out);
@@ -399,6 +403,7 @@ bool ipc_get_workspaces(struct swaybar *bar) {
 				if (ws->urgent) {
 					bar->visible_by_urgency = true;
 				}
+				ws->empty = json_object_get_boolean(empty);
 				wl_list_insert(output->workspaces.prev, &ws->link);
 			}
 		}
diff --git a/swaybar/render.c b/swaybar/render.c
index 45faefa97..1f73196ef 100644
--- a/swaybar/render.c
+++ b/swaybar/render.c
@@ -625,6 +625,8 @@ static uint32_t render_workspace_button(struct render_context *ctx,
 		box_colors = config->colors.focused_workspace;
 	} else if (ws->visible) {
 		box_colors = config->colors.active_workspace;
+	} else if (ws->empty) {
+		box_colors = config->colors.empty_workspace;
 	} else {
 		box_colors = config->colors.inactive_workspace;
 	}