How to set a page background color:

• In the Design view click on the page background.
• Go to the properties panel and click the "Page Properties" button.
• Then in the "Page Properties" window in the "Appearance" category next to "Background" click on the triangle in the color icon and select a color from the drop down palette e.g. "#FFFFCC".
• Press the "Apply" button then press the "OK" button.