diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index ec5fcb8ea1f..eae171dab27 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@
 - Added exports for all EUI component props matching `EuiComponentProps` name pattern. ([#4517](https://github.com/elastic/eui/pull/4517))
 - Added `truncate`, `disabled`, and `emphasize` props to `EuiSideNavItem` ([#4488](https://github.com/elastic/eui/pull/4488))
 - Added `truncate` prop to `EuiSideNav` ([#4488](https://github.com/elastic/eui/pull/4488))
+- Reverted part of [#4509](https://github.com/elastic/eui/pull/4509) and returned `EuiDataGrid`'s background content area to an empty shade ([#4542](https://github.com/elastic/eui/pull/4542))
 
 **Bug fixes**
 
diff --git a/src/components/datagrid/_data_grid.scss b/src/components/datagrid/_data_grid.scss
index ecf6a32e8f9..083f17d7804 100644
--- a/src/components/datagrid/_data_grid.scss
+++ b/src/components/datagrid/_data_grid.scss
@@ -33,7 +33,7 @@
   max-width: 100%;
   width: 100%;
   z-index: 2; // Sits above the pagination below it, but below the controls above it
-  background: $euiColorLightestShade;
+  background: $euiColorEmptyShade;
 }
 
 .euiDataGrid__controls {