diff --git a/include/sway/config.h b/include/sway/config.h
index 0912bc73..cd56c3dc 100644
--- a/include/sway/config.h
+++ b/include/sway/config.h
@@ -167,6 +167,16 @@ struct output_config {
 	enum config_dpms dpms_state;
 };
 
+/**
+ * Stores size of gaps for each side
+ */
+struct side_gaps {
+	int top;
+	int right;
+	int bottom;
+	int left;
+};
+
 /**
  * Stores configuration for a workspace, regardless of whether the workspace
  * exists.
@@ -175,7 +185,7 @@ struct workspace_config {
 	char *workspace;
 	char *output;
 	int gaps_inner;
-	int gaps_outer;
+	struct side_gaps gaps_outer;
 };
 
 struct bar_config {
@@ -398,7 +408,7 @@ struct sway_config {
 
 	bool smart_gaps;
 	int gaps_inner;
-	int gaps_outer;
+	struct side_gaps gaps_outer;
 
 	list_t *config_chain;
 	const char *current_config_path;
diff --git a/include/sway/tree/workspace.h b/include/sway/tree/workspace.h
index b5ae92f3..7abfbff1 100644
--- a/include/sway/tree/workspace.h
+++ b/include/sway/tree/workspace.h
@@ -32,9 +32,9 @@ struct sway_workspace {
 	enum sway_container_layout layout;
 	enum sway_container_layout prev_split_layout;
 
-	int current_gaps;
+	struct side_gaps current_gaps;
 	int gaps_inner;
-	int gaps_outer;
+	struct side_gaps gaps_outer;
 
 	struct sway_output *output; // NULL if no outputs are connected
 	list_t *floating;           // struct sway_container
diff --git a/sway/commands/gaps.c b/sway/commands/gaps.c
index 3f0ef155..faaeab37 100644
--- a/sway/commands/gaps.c
+++ b/sway/commands/gaps.c
@@ -16,73 +16,128 @@ enum gaps_op {
 
 struct gaps_data {
 	bool inner;
+	struct {
+		bool top;
+		bool right;
+		bool bottom;
+		bool left;
+	} outer;
 	enum gaps_op operation;
 	int amount;
 };
 
-// gaps inner|outer <px>
+// Prevent negative outer gaps from moving windows out of the workspace.
+static void prevent_invalid_outer_gaps(void) {
+	if (config->gaps_outer.top < -config->gaps_inner) {
+		config->gaps_outer.top = -config->gaps_inner;
+	}
+	if (config->gaps_outer.right < -config->gaps_inner) {
+		config->gaps_outer.right = -config->gaps_inner;
+	}
+	if (config->gaps_outer.bottom < -config->gaps_inner) {
+		config->gaps_outer.bottom = -config->gaps_inner;
+	}
+	if (config->gaps_outer.left < -config->gaps_inner) {
+		config->gaps_outer.left = -config->gaps_inner;
+	}
+}
+
+// gaps inner|outer|horizontal|vertical|top|right|bottom|left <px>
+static const char *expected_defaults =
+	"'gaps inner|outer|horizontal|vertical|top|right|bottom|left <px>'";
 static struct cmd_results *gaps_set_defaults(int argc, char **argv) {
 	struct cmd_results *error = checkarg(argc, "gaps", EXPECTED_EQUAL_TO, 2);
 	if (error) {
 		return error;
 	}
 
-	bool inner;
-	if (strcasecmp(argv[0], "inner") == 0) {
-		inner = true;
-	} else if (strcasecmp(argv[0], "outer") == 0) {
-		inner = false;
-	} else {
-		return cmd_results_new(CMD_INVALID, "gaps",
-				"Expected 'gaps inner|outer <px>'");
-	}
-
 	char *end;
 	int amount = strtol(argv[1], &end, 10);
 	if (strlen(end) && strcasecmp(end, "px") != 0) {
 		return cmd_results_new(CMD_INVALID, "gaps",
-				"Expected 'gaps inner|outer <px>'");
+				"Expected %s", expected_defaults);
 	}
-	if (inner) {
+
+	bool valid = false;
+	if (!strcasecmp(argv[0], "inner")) {
+		valid = true;
 		config->gaps_inner = (amount >= 0) ? amount : 0;
 	} else {
-		config->gaps_outer = amount;
-	}
-
-	// Prevent negative outer gaps from moving windows out of the workspace.
-	if (config->gaps_outer < -config->gaps_inner) {
-		config->gaps_outer = -config->gaps_inner;
+		if (!strcasecmp(argv[0], "outer") || !strcasecmp(argv[0], "vertical")
+				|| !strcasecmp(argv[0], "top")) {
+			valid = true;
+			config->gaps_outer.top = amount;
+		}
+		if (!strcasecmp(argv[0], "outer") || !strcasecmp(argv[0], "horizontal")
+				|| !strcasecmp(argv[0], "right")) {
+			valid = true;
+			config->gaps_outer.right = amount;
+		}
+		if (!strcasecmp(argv[0], "outer") || !strcasecmp(argv[0], "vertical")
+				|| !strcasecmp(argv[0], "bottom")) {
+			valid = true;
+			config->gaps_outer.bottom = amount;
+		}
+		if (!strcasecmp(argv[0], "outer") || !strcasecmp(argv[0], "horizontal")
+				|| !strcasecmp(argv[0], "left")) {
+			valid = true;
+			config->gaps_outer.left = amount;
+		}
+	}
+	if (!valid) {
+		return cmd_results_new(CMD_INVALID, "gaps",
+				"Expected %s", expected_defaults);
 	}
 
+	prevent_invalid_outer_gaps();
 	return cmd_results_new(CMD_SUCCESS, NULL, NULL);
 }
 
-static void configure_gaps(struct sway_workspace *ws, void *_data) {
-	struct gaps_data *data = _data;
-	int *prop = data->inner ? &ws->gaps_inner : &ws->gaps_outer;
-
-	switch (data->operation) {
+static void apply_gaps_op(int *prop, enum gaps_op op, int amount) {
+	switch (op) {
 	case GAPS_OP_SET:
-		*prop = data->amount;
+		*prop = amount;
 		break;
 	case GAPS_OP_ADD:
-		*prop += data->amount;
+		*prop += amount;
 		break;
 	case GAPS_OP_SUBTRACT:
-		*prop -= data->amount;
+		*prop -= amount;
 		break;
 	}
+}
+
+static void configure_gaps(struct sway_workspace *ws, void *_data) {
+	// Apply operation to gaps
+	struct gaps_data *data = _data;
+	if (data->inner) {
+		apply_gaps_op(&ws->gaps_inner, data->operation, data->amount);
+	}
+	if (data->outer.top) {
+		apply_gaps_op(&(ws->gaps_outer.top), data->operation, data->amount);
+	}
+	if (data->outer.right) {
+		apply_gaps_op(&(ws->gaps_outer.right), data->operation, data->amount);
+	}
+	if (data->outer.bottom) {
+		apply_gaps_op(&(ws->gaps_outer.bottom), data->operation, data->amount);
+	}
+	if (data->outer.left) {
+		apply_gaps_op(&(ws->gaps_outer.left), data->operation, data->amount);
+	}
+
 	// Prevent invalid gaps configurations.
 	if (ws->gaps_inner < 0) {
 		ws->gaps_inner = 0;
 	}
-	if (ws->gaps_outer < -ws->gaps_inner) {
-		ws->gaps_outer = -ws->gaps_inner;
-	}
+	prevent_invalid_outer_gaps();
 	arrange_workspace(ws);
 }
 
-// gaps inner|outer current|all set|plus|minus <px>
+// gaps inner|outer|horizontal|vertical|top|right|bottom|left current|all
+// set|plus|minus <px>
+static const char *expected_runtime = "'gaps inner|outer|horizontal|vertical|"
+	"top|right|bottom|left current|all set|plus|minus <px>'";
 static struct cmd_results *gaps_set_runtime(int argc, char **argv) {
 	struct cmd_results *error = checkarg(argc, "gaps", EXPECTED_EQUAL_TO, 4);
 	if (error) {
@@ -93,15 +148,24 @@ static struct cmd_results *gaps_set_runtime(int argc, char **argv) {
 				"Can't run this command while there's no outputs connected.");
 	}
 
-	struct gaps_data data;
+	struct gaps_data data = {0};
 
 	if (strcasecmp(argv[0], "inner") == 0) {
 		data.inner = true;
-	} else if (strcasecmp(argv[0], "outer") == 0) {
-		data.inner = false;
 	} else {
+		data.outer.top = !strcasecmp(argv[0], "outer") ||
+			!strcasecmp(argv[0], "vertical") || !strcasecmp(argv[0], "top");
+		data.outer.right = !strcasecmp(argv[0], "outer") ||
+			!strcasecmp(argv[0], "horizontal") || !strcasecmp(argv[0], "right");
+		data.outer.bottom = !strcasecmp(argv[0], "outer") ||
+			!strcasecmp(argv[0], "vertical") || !strcasecmp(argv[0], "bottom");
+		data.outer.left = !strcasecmp(argv[0], "outer") ||
+			!strcasecmp(argv[0], "horizontal") || !strcasecmp(argv[0], "left");
+	}
+	if (!data.inner && !data.outer.top && !data.outer.right &&
+			!data.outer.bottom && !data.outer.left) {
 		return cmd_results_new(CMD_INVALID, "gaps",
-				"Expected 'gaps inner|outer current|all set|plus|minus <px>'");
+				"Expected %s", expected_runtime);
 	}
 
 	bool all;
@@ -111,7 +175,7 @@ static struct cmd_results *gaps_set_runtime(int argc, char **argv) {
 		all = true;
 	} else {
 		return cmd_results_new(CMD_INVALID, "gaps",
-				"Expected 'gaps inner|outer current|all set|plus|minus <px>'");
+				"Expected %s", expected_runtime);
 	}
 
 	if (strcasecmp(argv[2], "set") == 0) {
@@ -122,14 +186,14 @@ static struct cmd_results *gaps_set_runtime(int argc, char **argv) {
 		data.operation = GAPS_OP_SUBTRACT;
 	} else {
 		return cmd_results_new(CMD_INVALID, "gaps",
-				"Expected 'gaps inner|outer current|all set|plus|minus <px>'");
+				"Expected %s", expected_runtime);
 	}
 
 	char *end;
 	data.amount = strtol(argv[3], &end, 10);
 	if (strlen(end) && strcasecmp(end, "px") != 0) {
 		return cmd_results_new(CMD_INVALID, "gaps",
-				"Expected 'gaps inner|outer current|all set|plus|minus <px>'");
+				"Expected %s", expected_runtime);
 	}
 
 	if (all) {
@@ -141,8 +205,10 @@ static struct cmd_results *gaps_set_runtime(int argc, char **argv) {
 	return cmd_results_new(CMD_SUCCESS, NULL, NULL);
 }
 
-// gaps inner|outer <px> - sets defaults for workspaces
-// gaps inner|outer current|all set|plus|minus <px> - runtime only
+// gaps inner|outer|<dir>|<side> <px> - sets defaults for workspaces
+// gaps inner|outer|<dir>|<side> current|all set|plus|minus <px> - runtime only
+// <dir> = horizontal|vertical
+// <side> = top|right|bottom|left
 struct cmd_results *cmd_gaps(int argc, char **argv) {
 	struct cmd_results *error = checkarg(argc, "gaps", EXPECTED_AT_LEAST, 2);
 	if (error) {
@@ -159,9 +225,8 @@ struct cmd_results *cmd_gaps(int argc, char **argv) {
 	}
 	if (config_loading) {
 		return cmd_results_new(CMD_INVALID, "gaps",
-				"Expected 'gaps inner|outer <px>'");
+				"Expected %s", expected_defaults);
 	}
 	return cmd_results_new(CMD_INVALID, "gaps",
-			"Expected 'gaps inner|outer <px>' or "
-			"'gaps inner|outer current|all set|plus|minus <px>'");
+			"Expected %s or %s", expected_runtime, expected_defaults);
 }
diff --git a/sway/commands/workspace.c b/sway/commands/workspace.c
index 5abbb676..168494d2 100644
--- a/sway/commands/workspace.c
+++ b/sway/commands/workspace.c
@@ -22,7 +22,10 @@ static struct workspace_config *workspace_config_find_or_create(char *ws_name) {
 	}
 	wsc->workspace = strdup(ws_name);
 	wsc->gaps_inner = INT_MIN;
-	wsc->gaps_outer = INT_MIN;
+	wsc->gaps_outer.top = INT_MIN;
+	wsc->gaps_outer.right = INT_MIN;
+	wsc->gaps_outer.bottom = INT_MIN;
+	wsc->gaps_outer.left = INT_MIN;
 	list_add(config->workspace_configs, wsc);
 	return wsc;
 }
@@ -33,6 +36,89 @@ void free_workspace_config(struct workspace_config *wsc) {
 	free(wsc);
 }
 
+static void prevent_invalid_outer_gaps(struct workspace_config *wsc) {
+	if (wsc->gaps_outer.top != INT_MIN && 
+			wsc->gaps_outer.top < -wsc->gaps_inner) {
+		wsc->gaps_outer.top = -wsc->gaps_inner;
+	}
+	if (wsc->gaps_outer.right != INT_MIN &&
+			wsc->gaps_outer.right < -wsc->gaps_inner) {
+		wsc->gaps_outer.right = -wsc->gaps_inner;
+	}
+	if (wsc->gaps_outer.bottom != INT_MIN &&
+			wsc->gaps_outer.bottom < -wsc->gaps_inner) {
+		wsc->gaps_outer.bottom = -wsc->gaps_inner;
+	}
+	if (wsc->gaps_outer.left != INT_MIN &&
+			wsc->gaps_outer.left < -wsc->gaps_inner) {
+		wsc->gaps_outer.left = -wsc->gaps_inner;
+	}
+}
+
+static struct cmd_results *cmd_workspace_gaps(int argc, char **argv,
+		int gaps_location) {
+	const char *expected = "Expected 'workspace <name> gaps "
+		"inner|outer|horizontal|vertical|top|right|bottom|left <px>'";
+	struct cmd_results *error = NULL;
+	if ((error = checkarg(argc, "workspace", EXPECTED_EQUAL_TO,
+					gaps_location + 3))) {
+		return error;
+	}
+	char *ws_name = join_args(argv, argc - 3);
+	struct workspace_config *wsc = workspace_config_find_or_create(ws_name);
+	free(ws_name);
+	if (!wsc) {
+		return cmd_results_new(CMD_FAILURE, "workspace gaps",
+				"Unable to allocate workspace output");
+	}
+
+	char *end;
+	int amount = strtol(argv[gaps_location + 2], &end, 10);
+	if (strlen(end)) {
+		free(end);
+		return cmd_results_new(CMD_FAILURE, "workspace gaps", expected);
+	}
+
+	bool valid = false;
+	char *type = argv[gaps_location + 1];
+	if (!strcasecmp(type, "inner")) {
+		valid = true;
+		wsc->gaps_inner = (amount >= 0) ? amount : 0;
+	} else {
+		if (!strcasecmp(type, "outer") || !strcasecmp(type, "vertical")
+				|| !strcasecmp(type, "top")) {
+			valid = true;
+			wsc->gaps_outer.top = amount;
+		}
+		if (!strcasecmp(type, "outer") || !strcasecmp(type, "horizontal")
+				|| !strcasecmp(type, "right")) {
+			valid = true;
+			wsc->gaps_outer.right = amount;
+		}
+		if (!strcasecmp(type, "outer") || !strcasecmp(type, "vertical")
+				|| !strcasecmp(type, "bottom")) {
+			valid = true;
+			wsc->gaps_outer.bottom = amount;
+		}
+		if (!strcasecmp(type, "outer") || !strcasecmp(type, "horizontal")
+				|| !strcasecmp(type, "left")) {
+			valid = true;
+			wsc->gaps_outer.left = amount;
+		}
+	}
+	if (!valid) {
+		return cmd_results_new(CMD_INVALID, "workspace gaps", expected);
+	}
+
+	// Prevent invalid gaps configurations.
+	if (wsc->gaps_inner != INT_MIN && wsc->gaps_inner < 0) {
+		wsc->gaps_inner = 0;
+	}
+	prevent_invalid_outer_gaps(wsc);
+
+	return error;
+}
+
 struct cmd_results *cmd_workspace(int argc, char **argv) {
 	struct cmd_results *error = NULL;
 	if ((error = checkarg(argc, "workspace", EXPECTED_AT_LEAST, 1))) {
@@ -68,43 +154,9 @@ struct cmd_results *cmd_workspace(int argc, char **argv) {
 		free(wsc->output);
 		wsc->output = strdup(argv[output_location + 1]);
 	} else if (gaps_location >= 0) {
-		if ((error = checkarg(argc, "workspace", EXPECTED_EQUAL_TO, gaps_location + 3))) {
+		if ((error = cmd_workspace_gaps(argc, argv, gaps_location))) {
 			return error;
 		}
-		char *ws_name = join_args(argv, argc - 3);
-		struct workspace_config *wsc = workspace_config_find_or_create(ws_name);
-		free(ws_name);
-		if (!wsc) {
-			return cmd_results_new(CMD_FAILURE, "workspace gaps",
-					"Unable to allocate workspace output");
-		}
-		int *prop = NULL;
-		if (strcasecmp(argv[gaps_location + 1], "inner") == 0) {
-			prop = &wsc->gaps_inner;
-		} else if (strcasecmp(argv[gaps_location + 1], "outer") == 0) {
-			prop = &wsc->gaps_outer;
-		} else {
-			return cmd_results_new(CMD_FAILURE, "workspace gaps",
-					"Expected 'workspace <ws> gaps inner|outer <px>'");
-		}
-		char *end;
-		int val = strtol(argv[gaps_location + 2], &end, 10);
-
-		if (strlen(end)) {
-			free(end);
-			return cmd_results_new(CMD_FAILURE, "workspace gaps",
-					"Expected 'workspace <ws> gaps inner|outer <px>'");
-		}
-		*prop = val;
-
-		// Prevent invalid gaps configurations.
-		if (wsc->gaps_inner < 0) {
-			wsc->gaps_inner = 0;
-		}
-		if (wsc->gaps_outer < -wsc->gaps_inner) {
-			wsc->gaps_outer = -wsc->gaps_inner;
-		}
-
 	} else {
 		if (config->reading || !config->active) {
 			return cmd_results_new(CMD_DEFER, "workspace", NULL);
diff --git a/sway/config.c b/sway/config.c
index 64653024..0fdd1723 100644
--- a/sway/config.c
+++ b/sway/config.c
@@ -234,7 +234,10 @@ static void config_defaults(struct sway_config *config) {
 
 	config->smart_gaps = false;
 	config->gaps_inner = 0;
-	config->gaps_outer = 0;
+	config->gaps_outer.top = 0;
+	config->gaps_outer.right = 0;
+	config->gaps_outer.bottom = 0;
+	config->gaps_outer.left = 0;
 
 	if (!(config->active_bar_modifiers = create_list())) goto cleanup;
 
diff --git a/sway/sway.5.scd b/sway/sway.5.scd
index 4a645837..3bf6233d 100644
--- a/sway/sway.5.scd
+++ b/sway/sway.5.scd
@@ -133,9 +133,12 @@ They are expected to be used with *bindsym* or at runtime through *swaymsg*(1).
 *fullscreen*
 	Toggles fullscreen for the focused view.
 
-*gaps* inner|outer all|current set|plus|minus <amount>
+*gaps* inner|outer|horizontal|vertical|top|right|bottom|left all|current
+set|plus|minus <amount>
 	Changes the _inner_ or _outer_ gaps for either _all_ workspaces or the
-	_current_ workspace.
+	_current_ workspace. _outer_ gaps can be altered per side with _top_,
+	_right_, _bottom_, and _left_ or per direction with _horizontal_ and
+	_vertical_.
 
 *layout* default|splith|splitv|stacking|tabbed
 	Sets the layout mode of the focused container.
@@ -429,14 +432,16 @@ The default colors are:
 	_focus\_wrapping force_. This is only available for convenience. Please
 	use _focus\_wrapping_ instead when possible.
 
-*gaps* inner|outer <amount>
+*gaps* inner|outer|horizontal|vertical|top|right|bottom|left <amount>
 	Sets default _amount_ pixels of _inner_ or _outer_ gap, where the inner
 	affects spacing around each view and outer affects the spacing around each
 	workspace. Outer gaps are in addition to inner gaps. To reduce or remove
-	outer gaps, outer gaps can be set to a negative value.
+	outer gaps, outer gaps can be set to a negative value. _outer_ gaps can
+	also be specified per side with _top_, _right_, _bottom_, and _left_ or
+	per direction with _horizontal_ and _vertical_.
 
 	This affects new workspaces only, and is used when the workspace doesn't
-	have its own gaps settings (see: workspace <ws> gaps inner|outer <amount>).
+	have its own gaps settings (see: workspace <ws> gaps ...).
 
 *hide\_edge\_borders* none|vertical|horizontal|both|smart|smart\_no\_gaps
 	Hides window borders adjacent to the screen edges. Default is _none_.
@@ -549,7 +554,8 @@ The default colors are:
 *workspace* back\_and\_forth
 	Switches to the previously focused workspace.
 
-*workspace* <name> gaps inner|outer <amount>
+*workspace* <name> gaps inner|outer|horizontal|vertical|top|right|bottom|left
+<amount>
 	Specifies that workspace _name_ should have the given gaps settings when it
 	is created.
 
diff --git a/sway/tree/view.c b/sway/tree/view.c
index 1aa59e68..7ae8efaa 100644
--- a/sway/tree/view.c
+++ b/sway/tree/view.c
@@ -190,7 +190,8 @@ static bool gaps_to_edge(struct sway_view *view) {
 		}
 		con = con->parent;
 	}
-	return view->container->workspace->current_gaps > 0;
+	struct side_gaps gaps = view->container->workspace->current_gaps;
+	return gaps.top > 0 || gaps.right > 0 || gaps.bottom > 0 || gaps.left > 0;
 }
 
 void view_autoconfigure(struct sway_view *view) {
diff --git a/sway/tree/workspace.c b/sway/tree/workspace.c
index 05cda5c0..93ce50de 100644
--- a/sway/tree/workspace.c
+++ b/sway/tree/workspace.c
@@ -49,6 +49,21 @@ struct sway_output *workspace_get_initial_output(const char *name) {
 	return focus->output;
 }
 
+static void prevent_invalid_outer_gaps(struct sway_workspace *ws) {
+	if (ws->gaps_outer.top < -ws->gaps_inner) {
+		ws->gaps_outer.top = -ws->gaps_inner;
+	}
+	if (ws->gaps_outer.right < -ws->gaps_inner) {
+		ws->gaps_outer.right = -ws->gaps_inner;
+	}
+	if (ws->gaps_outer.bottom < -ws->gaps_inner) {
+		ws->gaps_outer.bottom = -ws->gaps_inner;
+	}
+	if (ws->gaps_outer.left < -ws->gaps_inner) {
+		ws->gaps_outer.left = -ws->gaps_inner;
+	}
+}
+
 struct sway_workspace *workspace_create(struct sway_output *output,
 		const char *name) {
 	if (output == NULL) {
@@ -77,12 +92,24 @@ struct sway_workspace *workspace_create(struct sway_output *output,
 	if (name) {
 		struct workspace_config *wsc = workspace_find_config(name);
 		if (wsc) {
-			if (wsc->gaps_outer != INT_MIN) {
-				ws->gaps_outer = wsc->gaps_outer;
+			if (wsc->gaps_outer.top != INT_MIN) {
+				ws->gaps_outer.top = wsc->gaps_outer.top;
+			}
+			if (wsc->gaps_outer.right != INT_MIN) {
+				ws->gaps_outer.right = wsc->gaps_outer.right;
+			}
+			if (wsc->gaps_outer.bottom != INT_MIN) {
+				ws->gaps_outer.bottom = wsc->gaps_outer.bottom;
+			}
+			if (wsc->gaps_outer.left != INT_MIN) {
+				ws->gaps_outer.left = wsc->gaps_outer.left;
 			}
 			if (wsc->gaps_inner != INT_MIN) {
 				ws->gaps_inner = wsc->gaps_inner;
 			}
+			// Since default outer gaps can be smaller than the negation of
+			// workspace specific inner gaps, check outer gaps again
+			prevent_invalid_outer_gaps(ws);
 		}
 	}
 
@@ -615,19 +642,25 @@ void workspace_insert_tiling(struct sway_workspace *workspace,
 }
 
 void workspace_remove_gaps(struct sway_workspace *ws) {
-	if (ws->current_gaps == 0) {
+	if (ws->current_gaps.top == 0 && ws->current_gaps.right == 0 &&
+			ws->current_gaps.bottom == 0 && ws->current_gaps.left == 0) {
 		return;
 	}
 
-	ws->width += ws->current_gaps * 2;
-	ws->height += ws->current_gaps * 2;
-	ws->x -= ws->current_gaps;
-	ws->y -= ws->current_gaps;
-	ws->current_gaps = 0;
+	ws->width += ws->current_gaps.left + ws->current_gaps.right;
+	ws->height += ws->current_gaps.top + ws->current_gaps.bottom;
+	ws->x -= ws->current_gaps.left;
+	ws->y -= ws->current_gaps.top;
+
+	ws->current_gaps.top = 0;
+	ws->current_gaps.right = 0;
+	ws->current_gaps.bottom = 0;
+	ws->current_gaps.left = 0;
 }
 
 void workspace_add_gaps(struct sway_workspace *ws) {
-	if (ws->current_gaps > 0) {
+	if (ws->current_gaps.top > 0 || ws->current_gaps.right > 0 ||
+			ws->current_gaps.bottom > 0 || ws->current_gaps.left > 0) {
 		return;
 	}
 	if (config->smart_gaps) {
@@ -643,18 +676,20 @@ void workspace_add_gaps(struct sway_workspace *ws) {
 	}
 
 	ws->current_gaps = ws->gaps_outer;
-
 	if (ws->layout == L_TABBED || ws->layout == L_STACKED) {
 		// We have to add inner gaps for this, because children of tabbed and
 		// stacked containers don't apply their own gaps - they assume the
 		// tabbed/stacked container is using gaps.
-		ws->current_gaps += ws->gaps_inner;
+		ws->current_gaps.top += ws->gaps_inner;
+		ws->current_gaps.right += ws->gaps_inner;
+		ws->current_gaps.bottom += ws->gaps_inner;
+		ws->current_gaps.left += ws->gaps_inner;
 	}
 
-	ws->x += ws->current_gaps;
-	ws->y += ws->current_gaps;
-	ws->width -= 2 * ws->current_gaps;
-	ws->height -= 2 * ws->current_gaps;
+	ws->x += ws->current_gaps.left;
+	ws->y += ws->current_gaps.top;
+	ws->width -= ws->current_gaps.left + ws->current_gaps.right;
+	ws->height -= ws->current_gaps.top + ws->current_gaps.bottom;
 }
 
 struct sway_container *workspace_split(struct sway_workspace *workspace,