diff --git a/common/netclass.cpp b/common/netclass.cpp
index fa2f419ae4..1630049a9e 100644
--- a/common/netclass.cpp
+++ b/common/netclass.cpp
@@ -50,7 +50,8 @@ const int DEFAULT_DIFF_PAIR_VIAGAP = Millimeter2iu( 0.25 );
 
 
 NETCLASS::NETCLASS( const wxString& aName ) :
-    m_Name( aName )
+    m_Name( aName ),
+    m_PcbColor( KIGFX::COLOR4D::UNSPECIFIED )
 {
     // Default settings
     SetClearance( DEFAULT_CLEARANCE );
@@ -78,6 +79,7 @@ void NETCLASS::SetParams( const NETCLASS& aDefaults )
     SetDiffPairWidth( aDefaults.GetDiffPairWidth() );
     SetDiffPairGap( aDefaults.GetDiffPairGap() );
     SetDiffPairViaGap( aDefaults.GetDiffPairViaGap() );
+    SetPcbColor( KIGFX::COLOR4D::UNSPECIFIED );
 }
 
 
diff --git a/common/project/net_settings.cpp b/common/project/net_settings.cpp
index abb51234d0..e9effd861a 100644
--- a/common/project/net_settings.cpp
+++ b/common/project/net_settings.cpp
@@ -64,6 +64,9 @@ NET_SETTINGS::NET_SETTINGS( JSON_SETTINGS* aParent, const std::string& aPath ) :
                         { "diff_pair_via_gap",  Iu2Millimeter( netclass->GetDiffPairViaGap() ) }
                         };
 
+                    if( netclass->GetPcbColor() != KIGFX::COLOR4D::UNSPECIFIED )
+                        netJson["pcb_color"] = netclass->GetPcbColor();
+
                     if( idx > 0 )
                     {
                         nlohmann::json membersJson = nlohmann::json::array();
@@ -135,6 +138,9 @@ NET_SETTINGS::NET_SETTINGS( JSON_SETTINGS* aParent, const std::string& aPath ) :
                             netclass->Add( net.value().get<wxString>() );
                     }
 
+                    if( entry.contains( "pcb_color" ) && entry["pcb_color"].is_string() )
+                        netclass->SetPcbColor( entry["pcb_color"].get<KIGFX::COLOR4D>() );
+
                     if( netclass != defaultClass )
                         m_NetClasses.Add( netclass );
 
@@ -145,6 +151,34 @@ NET_SETTINGS::NET_SETTINGS( JSON_SETTINGS* aParent, const std::string& aPath ) :
                 ResolveNetClassAssignments();
             },
             {} ) );
+
+    m_params.emplace_back( new PARAM_LAMBDA<nlohmann::json>( "net_colors",
+            [&]() -> nlohmann::json
+            {
+                nlohmann::json ret = {};
+
+                for( const auto& pair : m_PcbNetColors )
+                {
+                    std::string key( pair.first.ToUTF8() );
+                    ret[key] = pair.second;
+                }
+
+                return ret;
+            },
+            [&]( const nlohmann::json& aJson )
+            {
+                if( !aJson.is_object() )
+                    return;
+
+                m_PcbNetColors.clear();
+
+                for( const auto& pair : aJson.items() )
+                {
+                    wxString key( pair.key().c_str(), wxConvUTF8 );
+                    m_PcbNetColors[key] = pair.value().get<KIGFX::COLOR4D>();
+                }
+            },
+            {} ) );
 }
 
 
@@ -412,4 +446,4 @@ void NET_SETTINGS::ResolveNetClassAssignments()
         for( wxString& member : members )
             m_NetClassAssignments[ prefix + member ] = ii.second;
     }
-}
\ No newline at end of file
+}
diff --git a/include/netclass.h b/include/netclass.h
index 8874e34ddf..7b57b42251 100644
--- a/include/netclass.h
+++ b/include/netclass.h
@@ -36,6 +36,7 @@
 #include <set>
 #include <memory>
 #include <richio.h>
+#include <gal/color4d.h>
 
 
 class LINE_READER;
@@ -75,6 +76,8 @@ protected:
     int         m_diffPairGap;
     int         m_diffPairViaGap;
 
+    KIGFX::COLOR4D m_PcbColor;          ///< Optional color override for this netclass (PCB context)
+
 public:
 
     static const char Default[];        ///< the name of the default NETCLASS
@@ -193,6 +196,9 @@ public:
     int     GetDiffPairViaGap() const       { return m_diffPairViaGap; }
     void    SetDiffPairViaGap( int aSize )  { m_diffPairViaGap = aSize; }
 
+    KIGFX::COLOR4D GetPcbColor() const { return m_PcbColor; }
+    void SetPcbColor( const KIGFX::COLOR4D& aColor ) { m_PcbColor = aColor; }
+
     /**
      * Function SetParams
      * will set all the parameters by copying them from \a defaults.
diff --git a/include/project/net_settings.h b/include/project/net_settings.h
index 0244ac0726..e3a3f393aa 100644
--- a/include/project/net_settings.h
+++ b/include/project/net_settings.h
@@ -42,6 +42,14 @@ public:
     // (buses) and atomic net names (including individual bus members).
     std::map<wxString, wxString> m_NetClassAssignments;
 
+    /**
+     * A map of fully-qualified net names to colors used in the board context.
+     * Since these color overrides are for the board, buses are not included here.
+     * Only nets that the user has assigned custom colors to will be in this list.
+     * Nets that no longer exist will be deleted during a netlist read in PcbNew.
+     */
+    std::map<wxString, KIGFX::COLOR4D> m_PcbNetColors;
+
 public:
     /**
      * Parses a bus vector (e.g. A[7..0]) into name, begin, and end.
diff --git a/pcbnew/pcb_painter.cpp b/pcbnew/pcb_painter.cpp
index 566ef46833..6a2fd72fff 100644
--- a/pcbnew/pcb_painter.cpp
+++ b/pcbnew/pcb_painter.cpp
@@ -37,6 +37,7 @@
 #include <layers_id_colors_and_visibility.h>
 #include <pcb_painter.h>
 #include <pcb_display_options.h>
+#include <project/net_settings.h>
 #include <settings/color_settings.h>
 
 #include <convert_basic_shapes_to_polygon.h>
@@ -61,6 +62,7 @@ PCB_RENDER_SETTINGS::PCB_RENDER_SETTINGS()
     m_sketchGraphics = false;
     m_sketchText = false;
     m_selectionCandidateColor = COLOR4D( 0.0, 1.0, 0.0, 0.75 );
+    m_netColorMode = NET_COLOR_MODE::RATSNEST;
 
     // By default everything should be displayed as filled
     for( unsigned int i = 0; i < arrayDim( m_sketchMode ); ++i )
@@ -216,10 +218,25 @@ void PCB_RENDER_SETTINGS::LoadDisplayOptions( const PCB_DISPLAY_OPTIONS& aOption
 }
 
 
+void PCB_RENDER_SETTINGS::LoadNetSettings( const NET_SETTINGS& aSettings )
+{
+    m_netColors = aSettings.m_PcbNetColors;
+
+    m_netclassColors.clear();
+
+    for( const auto& pair : aSettings.m_NetClasses )
+    {
+        if( pair.second->GetPcbColor() != COLOR4D::UNSPECIFIED )
+            m_netclassColors[pair.first] = pair.second->GetPcbColor();
+    }
+}
+
+
 const COLOR4D& PCB_RENDER_SETTINGS::GetColor( const VIEW_ITEM* aItem, int aLayer ) const
 {
     int netCode = -1;
     const EDA_ITEM* item = dynamic_cast<const EDA_ITEM*>( aItem );
+    const BOARD_CONNECTED_ITEM* conItem = dynamic_cast<const BOARD_CONNECTED_ITEM*> ( aItem );
 
     if( item )
     {
@@ -234,13 +251,7 @@ const COLOR4D& PCB_RENDER_SETTINGS::GetColor( const VIEW_ITEM* aItem, int aLayer
             aLayer = LAYER_MOD_TEXT_INVISIBLE;
 
         if( item->IsSelected() )
-        {
             return m_layerColorsSel[aLayer];
-        }
-
-        // Try to obtain the netcode for the item
-        if( const BOARD_CONNECTED_ITEM* conItem = dyn_cast<const BOARD_CONNECTED_ITEM*> ( item ) )
-            netCode = conItem->GetNetCode();
 
         if( item->Type() == PCB_MARKER_T )
             return m_layerColors[aLayer];
@@ -269,6 +280,10 @@ const COLOR4D& PCB_RENDER_SETTINGS::GetColor( const VIEW_ITEM* aItem, int aLayer
         }
     }
 
+    // Try to obtain the netcode for the item
+    if( conItem )
+        netCode = conItem->GetNetCode();
+
     // Single net highlight mode
     if( m_highlightEnabled && m_highlightNetcodes.count( netCode ) )
         return m_layerColorsHi[aLayer];
@@ -282,6 +297,15 @@ const COLOR4D& PCB_RENDER_SETTINGS::GetColor( const VIEW_ITEM* aItem, int aLayer
     if( m_highlightEnabled )
         return m_layerColorsDark[aLayer];
 
+    // Apply net color overrides
+    if( conItem && m_netColorMode == NET_COLOR_MODE::ALL )
+    {
+        if( m_netColors.count( conItem->GetNetname() ) )
+            return m_netColors.at( conItem->GetNetname() );
+        else if( m_netclassColors.count( conItem->GetNetClassName() ) )
+            return m_netclassColors.at( conItem->GetNetClassName() );
+    }
+
     // No special modificators enabled
     return m_layerColors[aLayer];
 }
diff --git a/pcbnew/pcb_painter.h b/pcbnew/pcb_painter.h
index b876a45473..e6cf965c6a 100644
--- a/pcbnew/pcb_painter.h
+++ b/pcbnew/pcb_painter.h
@@ -48,6 +48,7 @@ class TEXTE_MODULE;
 class DIMENSION;
 class PCB_TARGET;
 class MARKER_PCB;
+class NET_SETTINGS;
 
 namespace KIGFX
 {
@@ -86,6 +87,13 @@ public:
         DZ_SHOW_OUTLINED
     };
 
+    enum class NET_COLOR_MODE
+    {
+        OFF,        ///< Net (and netclass) colors are not shown
+        RATSNEST,   ///< Net/netclass colors are shown on ratsnest lines only
+        ALL         ///< Net/netclass colors are shown on all net copper
+    };
+
     PCB_RENDER_SETTINGS();
 
     /**
@@ -96,6 +104,12 @@ public:
      */
     void LoadDisplayOptions( const PCB_DISPLAY_OPTIONS& aOptions, bool aShowPageLimits );
 
+    /**
+     * Loads net-specific render settings
+     * @param aSettings is the NET_SETTINGS for the current proejct
+     */
+    void LoadNetSettings( const NET_SETTINGS& aSettings );
+
     virtual void LoadColors( const COLOR_SETTINGS* aSettings ) override;
 
     /// @copydoc RENDER_SETTINGS::GetColor()
@@ -166,6 +180,13 @@ public:
     bool GetDrawIndividualViaLayers() const { return m_drawIndividualViaLayers; }
     void SetDrawIndividualViaLayers( bool aFlag ) { m_drawIndividualViaLayers = aFlag; }
 
+    NET_COLOR_MODE GetNetColorMode() const { return m_netColorMode; }
+    void SetNetColorMode( NET_COLOR_MODE aMode ) { m_netColorMode = aMode; }
+
+    std::map<wxString, KIGFX::COLOR4D>& GetNetclassColorMap() { return m_netclassColors; }
+
+    std::map<wxString, KIGFX::COLOR4D>& GetNetColorMap() { return m_netColors; }
+
 protected:
     ///> Flag determining if items on a given layer should be drawn as an outline or a filled item
     bool    m_sketchMode[GAL_LAYER_ID_END];
@@ -210,6 +231,15 @@ protected:
 
     ///> Color used for highlighting selection candidates
     COLOR4D m_selectionCandidateColor;
+
+    ///> How to display nets and netclasses with color overrides
+    NET_COLOR_MODE m_netColorMode;
+
+    ///> Overrides for specific netclass colors
+    std::map<wxString, KIGFX::COLOR4D> m_netclassColors;
+
+    ///> Overrides for specific net colors
+    std::map<wxString, KIGFX::COLOR4D> m_netColors;
 };
 
 
diff --git a/pcbnew/pcbnew_config.cpp b/pcbnew/pcbnew_config.cpp
index 780153a77e..e429af0dec 100644
--- a/pcbnew/pcbnew_config.cpp
+++ b/pcbnew/pcbnew_config.cpp
@@ -44,11 +44,13 @@
 #include <class_board.h>
 #include <class_module.h>
 #include <pcbplot.h>
+#include <pcb_painter.h>
 #include <footprint_viewer_frame.h>
 #include <invoke_pcb_dialog.h>
 #include <wildcards_and_files_ext.h>
 #include <widgets/paged_dialog.h>
 #include <widgets/panel_selection_filter.h>
+#include <project/net_settings.h>
 #include <project/project_file.h>
 #include <project/project_local_settings.h>
 
@@ -95,6 +97,11 @@ bool PCB_EDIT_FRAME::LoadProjectSettings()
 
     pglayout.SetPageLayout( filename );
 
+    KIGFX::PCB_RENDER_SETTINGS* rs = static_cast<KIGFX::PCB_RENDER_SETTINGS*>(
+            GetCanvas()->GetView()->GetPainter()->GetSettings() );
+
+    rs->LoadNetSettings( project.NetSettings() );
+
     PROJECT_LOCAL_SETTINGS& localSettings = Prj().GetLocalSettings();
 
     SELECTION_FILTER_OPTIONS& filterOpts = GetToolManager()->GetTool<SELECTION_TOOL>()->GetFilter();
diff --git a/pcbnew/ratsnest/ratsnest_viewitem.cpp b/pcbnew/ratsnest/ratsnest_viewitem.cpp
index d282567754..36f37b26d8 100644
--- a/pcbnew/ratsnest/ratsnest_viewitem.cpp
+++ b/pcbnew/ratsnest/ratsnest_viewitem.cpp
@@ -74,8 +74,12 @@ void RATSNEST_VIEWITEM::ViewDraw( int aLayer, KIGFX::VIEW* aView ) const
 	gal->SetIsStroke( true );
     gal->SetIsFill( false );
     gal->SetLineWidth( 1.0 );
-    auto rs = static_cast<PCB_RENDER_SETTINGS*>(aView->GetPainter()->GetSettings());
-    auto color = rs->GetColor( NULL, LAYER_RATSNEST );
+    auto rs = static_cast<PCB_RENDER_SETTINGS*>( aView->GetPainter()->GetSettings() );
+
+    COLOR4D defaultColor = rs->GetColor( nullptr, LAYER_RATSNEST );
+    COLOR4D color        = defaultColor;
+
+    bool colorByNet = rs->GetNetColorMode() != PCB_RENDER_SETTINGS::NET_COLOR_MODE::OFF;
 
     std::set<int> highlightedNets = rs->GetHighlightNetCodes();
 
@@ -117,6 +121,11 @@ void RATSNEST_VIEWITEM::ViewDraw( int aLayer, KIGFX::VIEW* aView ) const
         if( !net )
             continue;
 
+        if( colorByNet )
+        {
+            // TODO(JE) - RN_NET to net name / netclass name link
+        }
+
         // Draw the "static" ratsnest
         if( highlightedNets.count( i ) )
             gal->SetStrokeColor( color.Brightened(0.8) );