[Spliff]

The view options only allow you to set a colored (or pictured) background for icon view. For some reason, this option isn't available for list or column view. Is there a hack or haxie that will allow me to have a colored background for any view?

[Sethro]

I'm afraid not, I not completely 100% sure but I think that is its possible to have a colored background.
The only option available is to increase the size of the text and accompanying icon.

This is actually the main reason why I don't personally use the column view, even thou its so much better than anything else. I personally cant stand the simple white that comes default..

[Curiosity]

It is possible to have a coloured background for lists and sidebars if you use Shapeshifter themes and tweak the colours. I have done that with every theme I use on my Mac because I dislike white backgrounds.

[Spliff]

How do you tweak the colours in Shapeshifter? I looked at the demo and it seems as if you can only apply the theme. I don't see any options to change background colours.

[Curiosity]

It helps if you use Shapeshifter to install the theme first (from the Apply section), then pull down the list of themes, pick the installed one, and click Tweak at the bottom of the window. A guiTweak window will open. Choose Colors, look at the list of items whose colours you can change and click on a colour patch to bring up a colour chart where you can alter the colour. The ones of interest are List Background and Sidebar Background.