Summer nails are always a fun way to express your love for all things summer! From seashells to palm trees and pretty flowers, the possibilities are endless!
If you are looking for cute ideas for summer nail designs, look further! We have put together some of our favorite ideas for summer nail art that you will just adore!
If you love DIY nail art, most of these are easy nail designs that you can duplicate on your own. If you don’t have the artistic flair, you can certainly show pics of your favorite designs for summer nail art to your nail stylist. However, most of these are simple enough for you to try them at home.
The key to summer nails is to pick bright and vivid colors or soft and pretty pastels. Next, you can opt for fun designs like starfish, florals, fruits, and so forth. Then you can add stickers, nail gems, and other fun embellishments.
Not quite sure where to get started? Check out our favorite ideas for summer nail art!
Coral Nails with Flowers
Coral is one of the most popular summer colors. This bright coral base with delicate flowers is very elegant.
Source: Furiousfiler via Instagram
Funky Feathers
This gorgeous dark violet sparkling base adorned with bright feathers is fun and a bit edgy.
Source:Nina_d83 via Instagram
Blue Ombre Waves
This blue and white gradient effect with blue on the fingertips is reminiscent of hot summer days by the pool.
Source: Nina_d83 via Instagram
Swirly Rainbows
Marble art is so versatile. We just love this swirly whirl of rainbow colors!
Source: Nina_d83 via Instagram
Tropical Nail Art
If you are a lover of the beach and romantic sunsets, these designs were made for you! Dark silhouettes of palm trees and dolphins on a background that resembles a sunset are dreamy and exotic.
Source: Nisinails via Instagram
Sand Art Nails
For the ocean lover, we suggest this charming design with white and blue swirls and cute sea-themed embellishments. Adorn your ring finger with gold nail polish and starfish accessories.
Source: Elleandish via Instagram
Cute Flowers
Here is another classy look if you love floral nail art. Pretty floral silhouettes in vivid yellow, pink and violet hues on a white nail base are very romantic.
Source: Followthatway via Instagram
Pink Tropical Nails
It is another look for the romantic at heart. Deep pink to light peach ombre as a base is adorned with large yellow and green palm leaves.
Source: Ninanailedit via Instagram
Summer Sea Creatures
If you love sea creatures, you will adore these seahorse silhouettes on top of a blue and green gradient base.
Source: Cuteynails4 via Instagram
Anchors Away
This look is perfect for longer nails. Let two nails be simple dark blue, adorn your ring finger with a gold anchor accessory, and leave white and dark blue chevron pattern for the remaining nails.
Source: Melcisme via Instagram
Summer Stripes
If you love striped nail art, you’ll flip for these alternating horizontal and vertical stripes in soft shades of white, green, and orange.
Source: So_nailicious via Instagram
Midnight Magic
These gold glitter stars on a dark blue base are magical and mysterious!
Source: lacquerandspice via Instagram
Summer Elegance
If you want a simple yet trendy design, why not try this pretty coral shade with silver stripes or polka dots on one nail?
Source: Almasnailart via Instagram
Sparkly Silver Nails
It is another simple yet elegant design. Paint every other fingernail white, pastel pink or upgraded French and then adorn your ring finger with silver sparkles for a classy, feminine look.
Source: Kistochki_nails via Instagram
Summer Tribal Nails
Tribal nail art is quite trendy this season. This fun take on random tribal designs in bright summer colors is daring for a cool summer look.
Source: Urbannailart via Instagram
Fun with Florals
You don’t have to be an artist to sport these bright, carefree flowers. Multi colored leaves and flowers on a white matte base are fun and carefree!
Source: Marinelp91 via Instagram
Sunset Nails
If you love summer sunsets, you’ll adore this simple but classy fade from light coral to golden yellow.
Source: Cassidylynnnails via Instagram
Rainbow Sponge Art
If you love rainbows, this design is exactly for you. Paint the colors of the rainbow on a nail sponge and then brush along your nails for a swirly rainbow ombre effect!
Source: Chalkboard Nails
Pretty in Pink
Pink is very feminine and chic, especially in the summer. This combo of soft pinks with darker pinks in a chevron design and gold sparkles is quite stunning!
Source: Dressed Up Nails
Floral Mani
We love these delicate French tips with soft summer pastel shades.
Source: Morpho SPA via Facebook
Butterfly Effect
Another chic look is these orange nails with a white and orange butterfly with a white base on one nail. This look is so simple yet so classy!
Source: Lovenails_bym via Instagram
Tropical Fruit Nail Art
Get ready for the summer with this tropical nail art. What can be more summery than a set of tropical fruits on your nails? Lemons, oranges, watermelons drawn on the transparent base look so fresh and juicy that you can try to bite your fingernail!
Source: Yokonailart via Instagram
Abstract Nails for Summer
Since geometrical patterns are pretty popular these days, why not adjust them to the summer? Combine different designs on each finger with different bright colors. The result won’t leave you indifferent!
Source: Nehmaah via Instagram
Glossy Neon Nails
Neon colors are more than popular during summer. But for those who do not want to look boring and out of fashion, we suggest this lollipop-like bright nail art!
Source: Nails.by.marit via Instagram
Sunflower Nail Design
When you think of summer, what flower comes to your mind first? Of course sunflower! So why not draw it on your nails? Add up some blues and glitters, and your perfect summer design is ready!
Source: Jennyclairefox via Instagram
Stunning Galaxy Nails
Galaxy nails are beyond trendy nowadays. Even though they may seem cold and distant, they suit summertime perfectly. Just imagine looking at the night sky whenever you wish!
Source: Nailartbylia_ via Instagram
Half Moon Mani
When you are going for the win, choose two trends and combine them in one. For example, this pastel blue shade combined with white half-moons looks just sweet and lovely.
Source: Just.mynails via Instagram
Sea Stripes
You can already imagine sunny beaches and the warm ocean while looking at these nails. White and electric blue combination creates the perfect illusion of the sea and foam, needless to mention the sandy addition on your nails.
Source: Lackfein via Instagram
Multi Colored Summer
Can’t pick just one bright shade for your next mani? Not a problem at all! Combine all of your favorites in one. Of course, it will look extraordinary bright, but we are not seeking easy solutions, are we?
Source: Nailsbykerib via Instagram
Dreamcatcher
You want something new for your nails but do not want to follow the trends blindly? Then there is something we might help you with. The dreamcatcher art. It might be a cliché when it comes to the tattoo world, but here it looks quite genuine.
Source: Willpaintnailsforfood via Instagram
Butterfly Wings
For those who like to attract lots of attention the butterfly mani will be the best option. As we do not know such people who wouldn’t notice such a graceful and beautiful creature either in the air or on your fingernails!
Source: Dakozhan via Instagram
Sunny Chevron
Chevron designs are so popular due to the fact that they can easily be recreated at home. So, if you have no means to visit a salon but still dream of the perfect summer mani, combine the yellow base with black and white chevron lines.
Source: Nata3110nata via Instagram
Glitter Nail with Flower
For those who cannot go brighter than red but are dying to be trendy we suggest this perfect bright yet elegant design. Cover your nails with a sparkly red base and add a beautiful flower to one of your nails. There you go!
Source: Nata3110nata via Instagram
We hope you love these adorable ideas for summer nails as much as we do! Find the one that works best for you or try them all!
Main photo by So_nailicious