Okay, people like to see what their printed page is going to look like but, lurking in the preferences in Microsoft Word, is the ability to display word processed pages white out of blue, which is a lot more readable and easier on the eyes for protracted screen reading sessions. There is a lot to be said for reducing the contrast of text on a Web page. Dark text on any muted background colour is preferable to white. The juxtaposition of foreground and background colours makes type appear to advance and receed. You also have to consider the physiological effects of advancing and recessive colours.
Warm colours appear to come forward and cool colour to go away from the plane they are on.
A living room painted in cool blues or greens, for example, will appear to be more spacious and airy than one painted in warm reds or yellows. The walls seem to be further away. It doesn't take any great stretch of imagination to see why this situation is ingrained into the human instinct as it is evocative of the sky and the great outdoors. Warm colours are 'cosy' and reminiscent of sitting round a fire. A overly bright, warm background on a Web page makes for uncomfortable reading as the background seems to be in front of the text.