This tip is how to create background with false left frame.
Its size its somthing like 1100x5 pixels so it can work on 800x600 and higher resolution.
In Photoshop create new image with transparent background this size.
Fill it with black color. Creat new layer. (left texture) Select area on left part of new layer
that will be filled with color. Open options window (Window>Show options)
I used gradient tool with copper texture to fill the selection. Select Gradient tool,
choose texture in options window of your choice. Fill selection using gradient tool from top to bottom.
Ctrl+D to deselect area. Ctrl+T to resize your left texture to size you want.
And thats it.
Convert it in indexed mode and use it as your background.

example mentioned above
 

Now how about backround I use.Its a seamless one that means that all pixels are repeated.
This one is very simple make.Playing with filters and thats all.
Again never stick to tutorials play with filters.
Create new image about 100x100 pixels (Ctrl-N).
Use paint bucket to fill it with black color just like "Paint in black" from Rolling Stones.
Open Filters menu click Texture>Texturizer and enter following settings.
Texture - Sandstone
Scaling - 64%
Relief - 4
Leave Invert unchecked.
Click O.k. and you're done,save your work in gif format.
I leave eveything else to your imagination.
Different colors and different filter settings produce different backrounds.