If you’re looking for nail ideas online, you’ve probably noticed that long acrylics seem to reign supreme. But pretty as long nails are, short ones are more practical for most people, allowing you to go about your day unhindered.
The good news is that short and natural nails are on the rise in the beauty world. This means it’s easier than ever to find fun designs for your nails, no matter how long they are.
In this post, you’ll find twenty short summer nail ideas that anyone can enjoy. Give them a try at home, or use them as inspiration for your next salon visit. And as a bonus, we’ve included the top summer nail polish colors to use in your designs.
Summer Nail Designs
Clouds
Start with a plain blue background, then add white fluffy clouds floating across your nails. If you want to make it even cuter, try adding a sun on one or two fingers.
Sunflowers
Sunflowers are the perfect flower for your summer manicure. Their bright, bold color will make you smile every time you look at your hands.
Starfish
Looking for a fun, beach-ready design? Paint your nails a bright color, and then add little starfish all over them. With a nail brush and a steady hand, you can easily do these at home.
Wiggly Lines
Wiggly lines in pastel or fruit colors add a whimsical touch to otherwise simple nails. To make it more fun, try making each nail a different color.
Oranges
Fruits are a common motif in summer clothes and home goods, so why not try them on your nails, too? For a subtle look, paint tiny oranges on a plain background or go for big, bright orange slices to make a statement.
Lemons
Lemons are another classic summer fruit you can use as inspiration. Like oranges, there are a lot of approaches to take, from small lemons on a checkered background to eye-catching 3D ones that pop off your nails.
Strawberries
Placing a tiny strawberry on each nail is adorable and perfect for summer. For the background, try nude to make the berries stand out, or go with a bright color, like blue or green, for more of a statement.
Retro Flowers
Using a muted color palette to create these funky flowers gives your nails a groovy 70s vibe. Or, if you use more neon shades, you can have the perfect Y2K nails.
Polka Dots
You can never go wrong with classic polka dots. A monochrome color palette will make them look sophisticated, or you can use contrasting colors for something more eye-catching. These are also easy to do at home with a DIY dotting tool.
Sunset Gradient
Use shades of pink, orange, and light purple to create a sunset-style gradient across your nails. For a cute finishing touch, add a sparkly top coat to catch the light.
Picnic Blanket
Gingham nails are the perfect “neutral” pattern. It’s simple and brings to mind picnics and warm weather. Classic color choices include red, blue, and pink, but feel free to use your favorite color.
Tie Die
Tie-die designs are a great way to add a funky touch to your nails. You could go for classic primary colors or choose a muted palette for a subtler take.
Mermaid-Inspired
Channel your inner mermaid with nails covered with seashells, pearls, waves, and fish. The best part about this type of design is how it can be fully customized to your preferences.
Funky Doodles
Go crazy mixing and matching doodles on your nails. Flowers, fruits, hearts, suns, and anything else you can think of. To tie the eclectic patterns together, use a limited color palette.
Rhinestones
3D elements and gems are big nail trends right now. Give them a try by decorating your nails with rhinestones, pearls, or other faux gems.
Tiny Daisies
Miniature flowers are great if you’re looking for minimalist nail art ideas. Start with a neutral or light-colored background, then paint a single tiny daisy in the center of each nail.
Tile Designs
Looking for a more out-of-the-box idea? Replicate your favorite decorative tile design on your nails. Blue and white is classic, but you could also go for a more vibrant color pattern with oranges and pinks.
Smiley Faces
Go full Y2K with cute smiley face designs in bright yellow, blue, green, and purple. They’re fun, quirky, and the perfect way to brighten any day.
Nautical
Create the perfect New England-inspired nails with anchors, stripes, fish, and rope. Choose a limited color palette and mix and match nautical designs with solid color nails.
Geodes
Looking for an idea with a little more sparkle? Try creating a geode-style nail with a marbled background and gold leaf accents. For colors, go with white, blue, purple, or pink.
Summer Nail Colors
Off White
White is always in season. For summer, try a shade with slightly more yellow to lean into the warmth of summer.
Bright Blue
A vibrant blue shade is classic for summer. The vibrant color makes you think of the ocean, and it looks just as good plain as it does in a design.
Lilac
We’ve been seeing a lot of this light purple shade lately. It’s a great choice for a muted but colorful summer nail.
Bold Yellow
For summer, give butter yellow a break and try a more vibrant shade. Don’t be afraid to lean into the crayon/highlighter territory.
Coral
Coral is a classic summer shade for a good reason. The orange/pink/red color looks vibrant and striking on almost everyone.
Short, natural nails shouldn’t stand in the way of getting awesome nail art this summer. Which one do you want to try first?
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