If you have an MDI form with controls anchored to bottom-left, and if the form is shown the following way: Form form = new ChildForm() form.MdiParent = this; form.Show(); private void ChildForm_Load(object sender, EventArgs e) { this.ThemeName = "Office2007Black"; } the anchored controls will be misplaced. WORKAROUND: either set the parent after show: Form form = new ChildForm() form.Show(); form.MdiParent = this; or do not use the Load event to apply theme - use the constructor or the Shown event: public ChildForm() { InitializeComponent(); this.ThemeName = "Office2007Black"; }