Olive and terracotta can make for a beautiful, earthy color combination in home decor. When used together in the right way, these versatile neutrals can create a warm, inviting aesthetic. Here’s what you need to know about pairing olive and terracotta in your space.
The Meaning Behind Olive and Terracotta
Before diving into how to combine them, it’s helpful to understand what olive and terracotta represent. Olive green is associated with nature, growth, renewal, and military strength. It’s an earthy, organic shade that brings to mind foliage and the great outdoors. Terracotta, on the other hand, relates to clay, pottery, and the earth. Its burnt orange tone evokes warmth, the autumn season, and organic materials.
Both olive and terracotta are considered neutral, earthy colors. But terracotta tends to be warmer, while olive leans towards the cooler side of the neutral palette. When used together, they strike a natural balance between warm and cool. They also share an intimate connection with the earth and natural materials like clay, stone, wood, etc. This gives the combination an inherently grounded, organic look and feel.
The Color Combination of Olive and Terracotta
Now that we’ve looked at what these two colors represent, how exactly do they look when paired together? The combination of olive and terracotta results in an earthy, rustic look. However, the vibe can shift depending on which color dominates. An olive-based palette with terracotta accents feels more subdued and relaxed. A terracotta foundation with olive accents is a bit bolder and warmer.
Olive and terracotta complement each other nicely because of their similar deep, muted tones. They share brown, orange, and green undertones that allow them to blend seamlessly. Both colors are extremely versatile neutrals that pair well with wood furniture, natural textiles, greenery, and organic materials. The overall look is natural, grounded, and pleasantly cohesive.
Tips for Combining Olive and Terracotta
Here are some top tips for successfully decorating with olive and terracotta:
- Use one color as the dominant shade and the other as the accent. For example, terracotta walls with olive furnishings or vice versa.
- Layer different tones of olive and terracotta together. Mix a deep olive with a mustard terracotta, for example.
- Add in natural textures and materials like wood, rattan, jute, linen, etc.
- Incorporate greenery and other organic accents like vases, bowls, ceramics, etc.
- Use olive and terracotta predominantly in key furniture pieces and on walls. Add pops of contrasting colors through decor items.
- Stick to a neutral scheme overall and choose accent colors carefully. Earth tones, whites, and blues work well.
With olive and terracotta, the overall look should feel natural, grounded, and cohesive. Don’t go overboard with competing colors or busy patterns. Keep accessories, textiles, and accents tailored to maintain the earthy ambiance.
Rooms Where Olive and Terracotta Work Best
Certain rooms in the home lend themselves especially well to an olive and terracotta scheme. Here are some spaces where this color duo shines:
- Living room – Olive walls with terracotta furnishings or vice versa make a living room feel welcoming. Add wood accents and textured pillows.
- Dining room – Use olive on the lower half of walls with terracotta on top. Bring in a natural wood dining table and woven chairs.
- Bedroom – Paint the walls olive and dress the bed in terracotta and white linens. Use wood nightstands and olive curtains.
- Bathroom – Go for an olive vanity, terracotta tiles, and natural accessories like bamboo bath mats and woven baskets.
- Kitchen – Terracotta backsplash tiles pop against olive cabinets. Add a wood dining set and olive bar stools.
- Home office – Olive walls help focus the mind. Add a terracotta rug, wood desk, and neutral decor pieces.
Olive and terracotta work in many rooms throughout the home. Just keep the overall vibe natural and cozy. Don’t overdo patterns and competing colors.
7 Examples of Olive and Terracotta Decor
Still not sure how olive and terracotta can come together? Here are 7 inspiring room examples featuring this earthy color combination:
| Room | How Olive and Terracotta Are Used |
|---|---|
| Living room | Terracotta sofa and pillows, olive curtains and rug, wood coffee table |
| Dining room | Olive lower walls, terracotta upper walls, wood dining set, jute rug |
| Kitchen | Olive cabinets, terracotta tile backsplash, wood countertops |
| Bedroom | Olive headboard, terracotta bedding, wood nightstands |
| Bathroom | Terracotta floor tiles, olive vanity, rattan accessories |
| Home office | Olive desk, terracotta area rug, wood bookshelves |
| Patio | Olive outdoor sofa, terracotta planters, wood deck |
This table demonstrates the versatility of olive and terracotta. No matter which room you’re decorating, this color combo can make it feel inviting and naturally stylish.
Tips for Accessorizing Olive and Terracotta
Accessorizing is key for pulling an olive and terracotta scheme together. Here are some tips:
- Add natural wood accents like shelves, tables, frames, etc.
- Bring in jute, linen, cotton, wool and other organic textiles.
- Incorporate terracotta vases, bowls, pots and olive ceramic accents.
- Use olive and terracotta pillows, throws, and other dec items.
- Add artwork featuring olive, terracotta, wood, botanical motifs, etc.
- Bring in live plants like succulents, spider plants, ferns, cacti, etc.
- Display collected organic objects like sea shells, stones, branches, etc.
The key is to keep things natural. Avoid shiny metallics or loud colors. Source accessories made from wood, clay, rattan, cotton, wool, linen, etc. Simple olive and terracotta decor blended with organic materials will accentuate the down-to-earth style.
Olive Paint Colors
There are so many gorgeous shades of green that complement terracotta beautifully. Here are some of the most popular olive paint colors to consider:
- Dark Olive – Deep green with brown undertones. Pairs well with warm terracotta tones.
- Army Green – Muted medium-dark olive drab shade. Works with natural terracotta.
- Avocado – Mid-tone green with yellow undertones. Brightens up terracotta.
- Forest Green – Deep green with yellow undertones. Contrasts light terracotta.
- Sage Green – Soft, pale green with grey undertones. Complements vivid terracotta.
- Camouflage Green – Earthy muted green. Beautiful with natural terracotta.
- Olive Drab – Military olive green, contrasts well against terracotta.
Choose an olive wall color that pairs nicely with your terracotta furnishings and decor items. Sample paint swatches at home under different lighting before committing.
Terracotta Paint Colors
For a warm accent wall or to paint furnishings, here are some gorgeous terracotta paint colors:
- Burnt Orange – Deep orangey terracotta, contrasts with cool olive tones.
- Terra Cotta – True clay red-orange, pairs well with natural olives.
- Adobe – Warm pinky orange, pops against dark olive.
- Paprika – Bright true orange, complements light olives.
- Clay – Earthy red-orange, blends beautifully with olives.
- Roasted Red Pepper – Vibrant reddish orange, energizes muted olives.
- Rustic Red – Deep brick terracotta, grounds bright olives.
Go for a terracotta wall color that plays nicely with your chosen olive shades. The vibrancy of the two colors should be balanced.
Choosing Furniture for Olive and Terracotta Decor
Furniture choices can make or break an olive and terracotta color scheme. Keep these tips in mind:
- Opt for wood pieces with warm oak, walnut, rustic finishes.
- Natural fiber furnishings like rattan, bamboo, jute, seagrass work well.
- Leather or linen in olive, terracotta, brown, cream is perfect.
- Wrought iron, wood, clay pottery inject organic texture.
- Pick fabrics like cotton, wool, linen in solids or subtle earthy prints.
- Choose furniture with simple, cozy, natural silhouettes.
Stay away from stark metals, shiny finishes, and cool-toned materials like glass, acrylic, etc. The furniture should blend with the overall earthy, grounded olive and terracotta palette.
Best Flooring Options for Olive and Terracotta
Ground the look with floors that complement the color scheme. Top options include:
- Hardwood – Oak, walnut, distressed finishes add warmth.
- Stone – Natural slate, travertine, marble, limestone tiles.
- Concrete – Stained concrete or a grey wash balances the palette.
- Jute – Natural fiber rug material ties the colors together.
- Terracotta tiles – Clay tiles boost the warm orange tones.
- Cork – Organic, eco-friendly material in natural hues.
Let the floor anchors the scheme instead of competing with it. Hardwood, concrete, stone, and natural fiber rugs offer down-to-earth choices.
Fabrics for Olive and Terracotta Decor
Fabric selection makes a big impact. Here are ideal textile choices:
- Linen – Natural fiber with beautiful texture and drape.
- Cotton – Casual organic fabric, great for accent pillows.
- Jute – Natural fiber with organic variations in tone.
- Wool – Hearty natural material perfect for rugs.
- Cashmere – Luxurious, with lovely draping capabilities.
- Silk – Silky sheen adds subtle interest when used sparingly.
- Leather/suede – For a touch of rugged texture.
Fabrics like linen, cotton, jute, wool and leather complement the earthy style. Source them in natural hues or subtle olive/terracotta prints.
Olive and Terracotta Bedding Ideas
Make the bedroom soothing and inviting with these bedding ideas:
- Olive duvet cover with terracotta shams
- Layered terracotta and white linens with olive throw blanket
- Crisp white sheet set with olive and terracotta patterned comforter
- Olive cotton quilt with terracotta sateen sheet set
- Olive and terracotta pinstripe duvet with solid shams
- Terracotta sheets with olive leather headboard
- Olive linen duvet with matching shams and terracotta throw pillows
Bedding in natural fabrics, solids, and subtle prints keep the look relaxed. Olive and terracotta make a soothing, earthy bedroom palette.
Best Olive and Terracotta Color Combinations
Some specific olive and terracotta pairings work especially beautifully. Top color combos include:
- Rich navy olive + fiery burnt terracotta orange
- Military olive drab + natural clay terracotta
- Mossy sage olive + dusty paprika terracotta
- Deep forest green olive + vivid rustic red terracotta
- Cool gray olive + warm adobe pink terracotta
- Golden yellow olive + earthy brown terracotta
- Pale avocado olive + deep terra cotta orange
Mix warm and cool tones of olive and terracotta for natural contrast. You can also layer shades of the same color family for added depth.
Creative Uses of Olive and Terracotta
Looking for unique ways to work in olive and terracotta? Get creative with these ideas:
- Olive bookshelves and terracotta wall behind
- Terracotta bathroom tiles with olive grout
- Olive velvet sofa with terracotta nailhead trim
- Striped olive and terracotta throw pillows
- Olive kitchen island and terracotta bar stools
- Herringbone olive and terracotta area rug
- Terracotta planters lined along an olive wall
Think outside the box! Unique applications of these colors keep the look fresh and interesting while still retaining that organic earthiness.
Tips for Lighting Olive and Terracotta Rooms
Lighting completes the ambiance. Use these lighting tips:
- Opt for warm bulbs (2700-3000K) to play up the earthy tones.
- Use natural materials like rattan, jute, wood, clay for lamp bases and shades.
- Layer ambient lighting with task lighting and accent lighting.
- Add pops of mood lighting like terracotta candles.
- Try sconces, pendants, chandeliers, and table lamps in organic shapes.
- Install dimmers to control the lighting levels.
- Bounce light off the
