diff --git a/book/src/editor.md b/book/src/editor.md
index 2baa907f..ae5f8af4 100644
--- a/book/src/editor.md
+++ b/book/src/editor.md
@@ -113,6 +113,7 @@ The `[editor.statusline]` key takes the following sub-keys:
 | `mode.normal` | The text shown in the `mode` element for normal mode | `"NOR"` |
 | `mode.insert` | The text shown in the `mode` element for insert mode | `"INS"` |
 | `mode.select` | The text shown in the `mode` element for select mode | `"SEL"` |
+| `merge-with-commandline` | If set, the command line and statusline will merge into a single line. Status text will replace the statusline briefly | `false` |
 
 The following statusline elements can be configured:
 
diff --git a/helix-term/src/ui/editor.rs b/helix-term/src/ui/editor.rs
index 4b5fe02e..c99d72a8 100644
--- a/helix-term/src/ui/editor.rs
+++ b/helix-term/src/ui/editor.rs
@@ -238,7 +238,7 @@ impl EditorView {
         let mut context =
             statusline::RenderContext::new(editor, doc, view, is_focused, &self.spinners);
 
-        statusline::render(&mut context, statusline_area, surface);
+        statusline::render(&mut context, statusline_area, surface)
     }
 
     pub fn render_rulers(
@@ -1563,8 +1563,15 @@ impl Component for EditorView {
             _ => false,
         };
 
-        // -1 for commandline and -1 for bufferline
-        let mut editor_area = area.clip_bottom(1);
+        // If merge_with_commandline option is set, then status message renders on top of the statusline, in which case we will not show the statusline
+        // Otherwise, status message renders in a separate line, so we give it 1 line of vertical space
+        let mut editor_area = area.clip_bottom(if config.statusline.merge_with_commandline {
+            0
+        } else {
+            1
+        });
+
+        // Editor area decreases by 1, to give 1 line of vertical space for bufferline
         if use_bufferline {
             editor_area = editor_area.clip_top(1);
         }
@@ -1626,9 +1633,15 @@ impl Component for EditorView {
             } else {
                 0
             };
+            let y_offset = if config.statusline.merge_with_commandline {
+                // render macros and key sequences 1 line above
+                1
+            } else {
+                0
+            };
             surface.set_string(
                 area.x + area.width.saturating_sub(key_width + macro_width),
-                area.y + area.height.saturating_sub(1),
+                (area.y + area.height.saturating_sub(1)).saturating_sub(y_offset),
                 disp.get(disp.len().saturating_sub(key_width as usize)..)
                     .unwrap_or(&disp),
                 style,
@@ -1640,7 +1653,7 @@ impl Component for EditorView {
                     .add_modifier(Modifier::BOLD);
                 surface.set_string(
                     area.x + area.width.saturating_sub(3),
-                    area.y + area.height.saturating_sub(1),
+                    (area.y + area.height.saturating_sub(1)).saturating_sub(y_offset),
                     &disp,
                     style,
                 );
diff --git a/helix-view/src/editor.rs b/helix-view/src/editor.rs
index e9e34048..4e34be91 100644
--- a/helix-view/src/editor.rs
+++ b/helix-view/src/editor.rs
@@ -489,6 +489,7 @@ pub struct StatusLineConfig {
     pub right: Vec<StatusLineElement>,
     pub separator: String,
     pub mode: ModeConfig,
+    pub merge_with_commandline: bool,
 }
 
 impl Default for StatusLineConfig {
@@ -513,6 +514,7 @@ impl Default for StatusLineConfig {
             ],
             separator: String::from("│"),
             mode: ModeConfig::default(),
+            merge_with_commandline: false,
         }
     }
 }