Section Background Color

Hello,
I am wondering if there is a way to assign a background color to the secondary section of my front page. I’d like to assign a color instead of the main background image I’m using, or a different image would work as well.

I’m also wondering if there is a way to put a color box behind the text and header sections of the other pages, similar to what I have set up behind the Widgets on this site.

Thanks for any help you can give me!