Olive motifs are putting a sophisticated spin on classic polka dots

A new culinary decor trend is taking over.

Food-inspired motifs have been trending all year, so it comes as no surprise that the latest home decor trend has a culinary theme: Olives. “The olive motif is a fun and elevated take on the classic polka dot, adding in an extra touch of personality and quirkiness while still being sophisticated,” says Elizabeth Rees, the founder of Chasing Paper.

The trending motif instantly lightens up a room or a vignette, and its popularity speaks to a larger shift that’s currently taking place in the design world. “For such a long time everything was so serious; decor felt like it had to be perfectly polished and buttoned up, but now I think people really want their homes to be an extension of themselves and their personalities,” says Malorie Goldberg, the principal designer at Noa Blake Design. To embrace the olive motif as a fun and fresh alternative to traditional polka dots, here’s how and where to use the pattern like a pro.

Meet the Expert

• Elizabeth Rees is the founder of Chasing Paper and the author of Wall Flowers: A Love Letter to Wallpaper.
• Annie Downing is the founder and principal designer at Annie Downing Interiors.
• Malorie Goldberg is the principal designer at Noa Blake Design.

The Rise of the Olive Motif

“There have been a ton of whimsical food-themed motifs trending in design recently—including fish and sardines, tomatoes, and lemons—and now we are seeing olives everywhere, from throw pillows to wallpaper,” Rees shares. Olives are synonymous with martinis, which Rees notes are also seeing a resurgence in popularity. “Martinis are a classic drink, and more innovative iterations of the cocktail are popping up on bar menus everywhere, so it is no surprise that fans of the libation are looking to embrace the aesthetic beyond the bar and bring it home,” she shares.

As people crave interiors that feel personal and livable, playful motifs like the olive lend themselves well to self expression. “Maybe it’s a call to whimsy during what is no doubt an intense time, or maybe a reminder of dinners abroad and night caps with good friends,” says designer Annie Downing, who created an olive-inspired wallpaper. “Either way, I love that something as simple as an olive can feel playful and a little unexpected.” 

Where to Use Olive Motifs In Your Home

“Kitschy prints always do well in small spaces where they can be loud but not overpowering; we love to incorporate them into powder rooms or play with accents like the back of a bookcase,” Goldberg says. Wallpapering a powder room with a statement print like the olive motif is a great way to embrace a fun trend in a smaller way. As an expert on wallpaper, Rees says, “Powder rooms and half baths are popular rooms where people like to experiment with fun prints and patterns in unexpected ways.”

“Playing with cheeky patterns is always a great way to personalize a room and make it your own,” Goldberg says. The designer adds that the good thing about an olive pattern is that it can be thematic without being completely literal. “It could easily make sense in a bar room as a nod to martinis or in a vacation home that’s inspired by the Italian countryside.”

The other spot experts immediately suggest the olive motif for is a bar area. “At-home bars or around bar carts are no-brainer places to incorporate an olive motif given the association with cocktails and mixology,” Rees says. If you want to incorporate the trend without the commitment of wallpaper, think small accents: olive-themed glassware, stirrers, dish towels, or throw pillow. “No matter the room or area, when styling whimsical or abstract prints it is important to be mindful of the other design elements in the space to ensure that everything remains cohesive and works well together,” Rees advises.

Of course, the motif doesn’t have to revolve around a food or drink space. “I believe one of our customers specified our Ruby Fizz color way for a child’s room, which I thought was awesome,” Downing says. “What a fun, imaginative backdrop for early childhood. I love when a pattern gets used somewhere you might not immediately expect it.”

Colors and Patterns to Style Olive Motifs With

When styling the olive motif, Rees recommends leaning into the color scheme of shades of green, neutrals, and even subtle pops of red. Olive green has been a trending shade independent of the whimsical motif, and Goldberg likes pairing it with everything from dark and moody navy hues to pale yellows for a bright and happy effect.

For added visual interest, design pros suggest pairing an olive print with a complementing pattern. “Print layering, or the art of combining multiple patterns in one design, is one of the top trends for 2026, so it is also a fun idea to pair the olive motif, similar to a polka dot, with stripes,” Rees suggests. She notes that although stripes are a classic, there are lots of fun and unique iterations available to play with. “The pairing of the two prints is expressive and stylish while creating a distinct design focal point,” Rees states.

When it comes to patterns that are inspired by real life items, such as olives, Goldberg often sticks to their origin to allow for a little bit of nostalgia. “One of the most beautiful ways to see olives is on the vine and since greenery adds so much life to any room, any motif with leaves feels like instant beauty, while in this case also being a bit playful,” the designer says.

Read the original article on Better Homes & Gardens