50 Summer Nail Designs Ideas to Try Before the Season Ends

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Hey bestie! If you’re anything like me, your nails are basically your favorite summer accessory. Whether you’re hitting the beach, going to backyard BBQs, or just vibing in the sun, the right nail design can complete your whole summer look.

I’ve rounded up 50 summer nail designs ideas that are trending on Pinterest, Instagram, and literally every salon mood board. From juicy citrus tips to ocean-inspired blues, there’s something here for every vibe.

This list is packed with inspo, so save your faves, screenshot the ones you love, and let’s make this your best nail summer yet! Ready to level up your mani game? Let’s get into it, girl.

1. Watermelon Sugar Tips

A vibrant and fruity design with red, green, and a hint of black seeds. Perfect for adding a playful twist to your summer nails.

2. Ocean Ombre

Blue to turquoise gradient, mimicking ocean waves. Add a glossy top coat for an extra splashy finish.

3. Citrus Splash Nails

Bright lemon, lime, and orange slices painted on a sheer base. Juicy and fresh vibes all around!

4. Pink Sunset Swirls

Coral, fuchsia, and golden yellow swirled together like a summer sunset. Pair with almond-shaped nails for max glam.

Also Check Out: Trendy Almond Nail Designs to Elevate Your Look

5. Starry Beach Nights

Navy base with silver star accents and tiny shells. Channel those dreamy beach bonfire nights.

6. Cherry Bomb Nails

Tiny cherry illustrations on nude or pink base. Retro, flirty, and totally adorable.

7. Neon French Tips

Swap your classic white tips for neon green, pink, and orange. Bright and bold!

8. Mermaid Scales

Shimmering turquoise scales with chrome or iridescent powder. Insta-worthy and fantasy-inspired.

9. Butterfly Garden

Pastel base with hand-painted butterflies or decals. Soft, feminine, and nature-loving.

10. Tie-Dye Vibes

Multicolor swirl nails inspired by tie-dye tees. Each nail looks different, and that’s the magic!

11. Cloudy Sky Nails

Light blue base with soft, puffy clouds. Add a tiny sun or rainbow for extra charm.

12. Palm Tree Silhouettes

Sunset ombre background with black palm trees. Vacation nails, anyone?

13. Daisy Chain Frenchies

Classic French nails with daisy petals instead of white tips. Sweet and sunny.

14. Peachy Nude

Soft nude with a hint of peach polish. Elegant yet seasonal.

15. Rainbow Cuticles

Reverse French manicure with each cuticle painted a different rainbow shade.

16. Sprinkle Donut Nails

Pastel base with colorful sprinkle dots. Cute, fun, and perfect for brunch.

17. Lemonade Stand

Bright yellow nails with little ice cube and lemon slice art. So refreshing!

18. Barbiecore Pink

Bold Barbie pink with a glossy gel finish. Iconic summer energy.

19. Shell Accent Nails

Neutral mani with one nail on each hand decorated with shell art. Minimal yet beachy.

20. Ice Cream Drip

Nails designed like melting ice cream scoops. Think pastel pinks, browns, and whites.

21. Flamingo Vibes

Hot pink base with flamingo art or decals. Bold, fun, and made for tropical vacations.

22. Starfruit Sparkle

Yellow-green nails with starfruit shapes outlined in silver glitter. Fresh and exotic.

23. Seashell French Tips

Classic French with a pearly seashell twist on the tips. Classy with beachy flair.

24. Popsicle Stripes

Bright horizontal stripes in orange, red, and pink. Inspired by summer popsicles!

25. Beach Ball Nails

White base with colorful curved lines mimicking a beach ball design. Playful and fun.

26. Pastel Checkerboard

Alternating pastel checks in lilac, mint, and peach. Trendy and super Instagrammable.

27. Jelly Nails

Translucent colored nails with a juicy jelly look. Great for layering glitter or designs.

28. Coral Reef Glitter

Orange coral tones with chunky holographic glitter. Dazzling underwater vibes.

29. Mint Mojito Tips

Mint green French tips with lime slice accents. Refreshing and zesty!

30. Summer Florals

Tiny multi-colored floral patterns on a nude or white base. Delicate and romantic.

31. Glossy Coconut White

Bright white nails with a glossy finish. Clean, simple, and perfect for tan skin.

32. Ombre Sunset Tips

Yellow to pink ombre just on the tips. Think sunsets melting on your fingertips.

33. Firecracker Sparkle

Red, white, and blue glitter designs perfect for summer fireworks season.

34. Poolside Chrome

Cool-toned metallic chrome nails with a pool-water shine. So chic!

35. Butterfly Confetti

Clear or nude base with butterfly-shaped glitter pieces. Light, airy, and fluttery.

36. Frozen Margarita

Lime green base with salt-rim-inspired sparkle. Cheers to summer!

37. Fruity French Tips

Each tip a different fruit slice—watermelon, kiwi, orange, and more. Fresh and creative.

38. Star-Spangled Ombre

Red to blue ombre with tiny white stars. A glam twist on patriotic vibes.

39. Nude with Neon Lines

Neutral base with minimal neon line art. Trendy and wearable.

40. Gold Leaf Accents

Soft pastel base with foil gold leaf on accent nails. Fancy without being extra.

41. Tropical Sunset Gradient

Deep orange to pink gradient with palm silhouettes. Picture-perfect for vacations.

42. Pops of Pineapple

Yellow nails with cute little pineapple stamps or hand-painted art.

43. Frozen Lemonade Fade

Gradient from pale yellow to icy white. Refreshing and unique.

44. Lavender Dreams

Light purple nails with micro-glitter or foil detail. Soft and dreamy.

45. Hot Coral Pop

Bright coral nails with a jelly finish. Perfect for sun-kissed hands.

46. Tiny Avocado Tips

Mini avocados painted on light green tips. Fun, quirky, and adorable.

47. Surfboard Stripe Nails

Wavy, colorful lines inspired by summer surfboards. Beach babe energy!

48. Strawberry Shortcake

Soft pink with red strawberry art and a hint of whipped cream design.

49. Ocean Pebble Texture

Textured blue-gray polish with matte topcoat for a beach rock feel.

50. Colorful Confetti Fade

Bright multicolor confetti pieces fading from the tips down. Party on your nails!

How to Create These Nail Designs at Home

Common Tools You’ll Need:

Nail file and buffer
Base coat and top coat
Dotting tools or toothpicks
Nail brushes for detailing
Nail stickers or decals (optional)
UV/LED lamp (for gel polish)

Nail Polish/Product Suggestions:

Essie “Bikini So Teeny” (sky blue)
OPI “Strawberry Margarita” (vibrant pink)
Sally Hansen Insta-Dri collection
Olive & June top coat (super glossy!)

Basic DIY Steps:

Start with clean, filed nails.
Apply base coat and let dry.
Paint your base color(s).
Use tools or brushes for designs.
Seal with a shiny top coat.
Cure if using gel polish.

Bonus Tips:

Work on one hand at a time if you’re a beginner.
Use tape or stencils for clean shapes.
Don’t rush – drying between layers is key!

Final Thoughts:

There you have it! From fruity tips to dreamy beach vibes, these 50 summer nail designs ideas are perfect for showing off your seasonal style. Whether you DIY at home or take these ideas to your favorite nail tech, don’t forget to save, Pin, or share the designs that caught your eye.

Got a favorite? Drop a comment or tag us @NailsInspoIdeas on Pinterest or Instagram. Let’s make this the cutest nail summer ever!