diff --git a/dconf/mate-panel-toplevels.conf b/dconf/mate-panel-toplevels.conf
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..6456c78
--- /dev/null
+++ b/dconf/mate-panel-toplevels.conf
@@ -0,0 +1,13 @@
+[bottom]
+expand=true
+orientation='bottom'
+screen=0
+size=36
+y=732
+y-bottom=0
+
+[top]
+expand=true
+orientation='top'
+screen=0
+size=36
diff --git a/dconf/mate-session.conf b/dconf/mate-session.conf
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..30e0630
--- /dev/null
+++ b/dconf/mate-session.conf
@@ -0,0 +1,2 @@
+[required-components]
+dock=''
diff --git a/install.sh b/install.sh
index a4c3ff3..2ca166b 100755
--- a/install.sh
+++ b/install.sh
@@ -44,5 +44,11 @@ done
 sudo chmod +x /usr/local/bin/rotate.sh
 sudo udevadm control --reload-rules
 
+echo ""
+echo "==> Applying dconf settings..."
+dconf load /org/mate/panel/toplevels/ < "$DOTFILES/dconf/mate-panel-toplevels.conf"
+dconf load /org/mate/desktop/session/ < "$DOTFILES/dconf/mate-session.conf"
+echo "  panel size and dock settings applied"
+
 echo ""
 echo "Done. Log out and back in (or reboot) to apply autostart changes."