Background images - photos, pictures, repeated patterns

• Not too busy pattern - If it is a picture make it simple, preferable hazed out slightly or even blurred

• Avoid using pictures with a great colour contrast

• A smaller image will load quicker making the website more efficient

• A lot of small patterns makes for interesting viewing
  

Hexi-decimal colours - Universally accepted colours i.e. blue, white, red, green

• Darker, deeper colours work well with light (white) text

• White or cream background work well with dark text

• Avoid fuchsia, sun-yellow, lime-green, mandarin-orange etc - too bright

• Make it a dominate colour of your site - don't keep changing the colour too much. Include different shades of it in text, tables, images etc