12 Hottest Summer Nail Designs You Must Try This Year
Ready to give your nails a sunshine-worthy glow-up? This year’s hottest summer nail designs are all about creativity, color, and fun. From soft pastels to psychedelic swirls and fruit-inspired tips, these looks are trending across salons, social feeds, and beachside getaways.
We’ve handpicked 12 of the most eye-catching nail styles you’ll absolutely want to try this season!
Hottest Summer Nail Designs:
1. Blue Watercolor Florals
Soft, dreamy, and full of vacation vibes, blue watercolor florals give your nails a delicate, artsy flair. Think translucent blue petals blending into milky white or nude bases.
Perfect for: Oval or almond nails
Style tip: Add silver foil accents for a touch of shimmer. Don’t Miss Out: Adorable Summer Nail Designs Trending This Season
2. Soft Rainbows and Clouds
Gentle pastels blended into subtle rainbow gradients with tiny white clouds floating on top. These nails look like cotton candy skies!
Perfect for: Short to medium square nails
Style tip: Use a matte topcoat for a soft, dreamy finish.
3. Cherry Nails with Gradient French Tips
Combine sweet red cherries with ombré pink-to-white French tips for a juicy summer look that’s playful yet polished.
Perfect for: Almond or coffin nails
Style tip: Add a tiny leaf detail for a more realistic cherry effect. Don’t Miss Out: Leopard Print Nail Designs for a Bold and Stylish Look
4. Funky Nails with Smiley Faces, Rainbows, and Flowers
This “pick and mix” style brings together all things cheerful: mini smiley faces, bold rainbows, daisies, and hearts in bright colors.
Perfect for: Short round or square nails
Style tip: Use a nude base to make the designs pop more.
5. Neon Green Squiggly French Tips
Swap the classic white for bright neon green and add abstract squiggly lines instead of straight tips. It’s quirky and bold—the definition of summer cool.
Perfect for: Square nails
Style tip: Outline squiggles with white to add contrast. Don’t Miss Out: Stylish Summer Jeans Outfits
6. Blue and Coral Nails with Little Flowers
This combo screams tropical getaway. Alternate coral and blue nails, and add dainty white daisies to accent nails for a pop of femininity.
Perfect for: Medium almond or square nails
Style tip: Use dotting tools for clean flower details.
7. Groovy Flower Nails
Inspired by ‘70s prints, these groovy flower nails come in swirls of orange, brown, pink, and mustard. They’re retro, fun, and a total vibe.
Perfect for: Long oval or almond nails
Style tip: Use a glossy finish to enhance the throwback feel. Don’t Miss Out: Summer Nail Ideas Easy That’ll Have Everyone Obsessed
8. Minimalist Blue French Tips
Keep it classy and summer-cool with soft blue French tips over a sheer nude or pink base. Clean and elegant for everyday wear.
Perfect for: Short natural nails
Style tip: Add a single white line under the tip for extra dimension.
9. Psychedelic Red Swirl Nails
Bold red and orange swirls over clear or nude bases make for a fiery, eye-catching manicure perfect for beach parties or rooftop brunches.
Perfect for: Coffin or almond nails
Style tip: Pair with red accessories for a cohesive look. Don’t Miss Out: Tried-and-True Tips for a Hair Growth Routine That Actually Works
10. Pastel Squiggles Nail Art
Random pastel squiggles on each nail give off a carefree, artsy summer vibe. You can freestyle every nail or follow a color pattern.
Perfect for: Short oval nails
Style tip: Mix colors like lilac, baby blue, mint, and peach.
11. Fruity Orange Nails
Bright orange nails decorated with tiny fruit slices like oranges, lemons, or even tangerines make for the ultimate summer refresh.
Perfect for: Medium to long nails
Style tip: Use jelly orange base for a translucent, juicy effect.
12. Blue and White Marble Nails
A cool-toned marble look in blue and white gives beachy vibes without being too flashy. It’s like ocean waves frozen in time.
Perfect for: Almond or stiletto nails
Style tip: Add a gold foil accent for elegance.
Achieve the Summer Nail Look at Home
You don’t need a salon to rock these styles! Here’s how to get started:
- Prep your nails by cleaning, filing, and buffing.
- Pick the right polish tools – brushes, dotting tools, or stickers can help a lot.
- Seal with a good topcoat to protect your art and make it last longer.
Want pro-level nails? Use press-ons or gel polish kits with built-in designs for zero effort and all the wow.
Final Thoughts
The hottest summer nail designs this year are a mix of bold color, retro flair, and playful art. Whether you love detailed hand-painted looks or quick stick-on nails, there’s a trending design for every style.
Don’t be afraid to mix and match, try a new color combo, or go outside your comfort zone. After all, summer is the perfect time to shine—starting from your fingertips.
