This DonQ page uses a simple, good quality photo as the background. It’s dark enough to contrast against the white text so that it’s easy to read, but isn’t a hard contrast.
This page for ‘It’s Hardly Code’ uses natural colours for it’s background, which blend well with the photo and graphic elements. I find this background interesting and appealing, without being overpowering or distracting from the content.
The Verdeo background looks like wallpaper and mixes elements of old and new styles. The lime green seems lairy, but it’s muted and also uses a natural olive colour for text and graphics – this balances fresh and zesty with calm and natural. The gradient on the background also works well to highlight the logo at centre top.
Examples sourced from Pattern Tap
SMackdown! 