35+ Summer Nail Designs for Short Nails

Are you ready to dive into summer but need inspiration for your nails? We’ve got the scoop on summer nail designs for short nails tailored just for you!

With so many interesting designs available, sporting short nails can become a canvas for some serious summer nail art.

Swirls of lemony colors or sparkly lace-like nail art inspired by seashells—the possibilities are endless.

So stay awhile. You might just find the design you need to take your summer aesthetic to the next level, proving that short nails can still be as bold and beautiful as long nails.

Bright Citrusy Nail Design

While you might think that bright, citrusy nail designs are best left to longer nails, you’ll be pleasantly surprised to see how good they can look on shorter nails, too. 

A citrus palette gives you a clean, bright, summery vibe.

Close-up of a hand with yellow and orange ombre manicured nails resting on a soft yellow fabric.

You’re not just painting your nails; you’re creating tiny canvases showcasing the juiciness and fragrance of summer fruit!

Lemons, limes, oranges—full of life and zest!

A lemon-yellow base with hand-painted fruit slices.

Close-up of hands with yellow nail polish and a single green and blue striped design on the ring fingers.

It’s no coincidence that they’re bursting with summer fruit imagery: think of freshness, renewal, and a zesty outlook on life.

Be sure to try this look with a gel nail polish set to take it to the next level.

You can even use a white gel to contrast the citrusy pallet for an eye-catching flare. 

So get creative. Colorful, citrusy motifs are your shorties’ BFFs this summer. 

Tropical Inspired Artwork

Allow yourself to be influenced by the gorgeous, tropical-inspired palm trees, flamingos, and hibiscus flowers.

Paint your nails with the colors associated with the happy, sun-kissed vibes of a beach getaway.

Pineapple print inspiration is a very gentle design, and each fingernail is shaped differently by a pineapple.

On the other hand, Tiki Mask Motifs are a bolder choice with complex, dramatic patterns.

You can play with various colors, from bright yellow pineapple to dark brown tiki mask.

Use your short nails like a work of art, a miniature, wearable art gallery, a tropical spirit captured between the tip of your thumb and your pinkie. 

It’s a creative and innovative way to embrace the summer vibes.

Subtle Nude With Glitter 

If the shocking pinks and multi-colored tropical-inspired designs of your previous nails are not to your taste, you may prefer this understated nude polish, with just a hint of glitter, for a more summery look.

The fact that it is ‘topped off’ with glittery gold rather than a basic clear adds a touch of sophistication. 

This look is perfect if you’re wanting something to spice up your classic nail look. 

A close-up image of a person's hands featuring long, oval-shaped nails painted with a shimmering, sandy beige polish.

In choosing the right nude polish selections to create that chic look and feel, consider the following: 

Now you’re all set to go out and rock that casual nude with glitter mani this summer.

Pastel Rainbow Nails

Pastel rainbow nails are a must for a touch of whimsy. This design harnesses the soft, ethereal shades of a summer sky.

A close-up of a hand with long almond-shaped nails painted in soft pastel rainbow gradient colors.

DIY tips to create this dreamy look:

Close-up of fingernails painted with pastel rainbow stripes against a skin-tone background.

Get on that pastel rainbow trend and let your nails be the canvas for your summer color fantasy.

The only thing that will look better than the polish is you. 

Ocean Wave Nail Art

It’s time to dive into the deep blue with the waves nail art, an ocean-inspired summer design that will literally give you a wave on your fingertips.

The ocean wave nail art design will test your wave-making skills as you paint the waves and select the right blues and whites from the ocean to give life to your nails.

Hands displaying nails painted with a blue and white wave design, against a background of green leaves.

Imagine:

  • The sapphire blues of the deep sea contrasted with lighter, tropical hues. 
  • The shimmer of sunlight, captured with a hint of glitter. 
  • The graceful movement of waves, painted in smooth, flowing lines.
  • The white foam of breaking waves, represented by thin, wispy strokes.
  • The depth and mystery of the ocean, conveyed through gradient layering.

With a little patience, imagination, and the right shade palette, you can turn your short digits into a seascape, a summer storybook at the shore.

Floral Accent Nail Design

Switching the dark sea blues for the brightness of petal shades, let’s look at the pretty appeal of classic floral accent nail designs

Spring motifs bring the outdoors indoors and perfectly accompany romance and femininity.

Close-up of a hand with nails painted in a floral design, featuring yellow and blue flowers on a white base, illuminated by natural light.

Taking care of your floral nails this summer will require frequent manicures to preserve the life of your blooms and a good topcoat to help prevent your design from chipping.

But don’t forget to have fun with your color combos, variations on petal shapes, and placement.

A close-up image of hands with manicured nails, featuring a floral nail art design with yellow flowers and green leaves on a neutral base, complemented by some nails painted solid gray.

Intricate florals can include daisies, roses, or exotic lilies.

Now, boost that confidence and go create your floral masterpiece!

Classic French With a Twist

Imagined as a classic French tip manicure, it’s the perfect look to take your elegant nails to varying summer styles.

This edition is all about twisted elegance, a real French fusion of tradition with innovation.

Close-up of hands with multicolored french manicure; nails tipped in pink, blue, yellow, orange, and red against a neutral background.

Tips to easily recreate this look:

Hands displaying nails with multi-colored french tips, including blue, yellow, green, and red, on a textured beige background.

And the result? A cool and colorful manicure that will make heads turn. Don’t stick to the classics. Twist up!

Neon Ombre Nail Art

Create a vivid neon glow this summer with Neon Ombre Nail Art. This attention-grabbing, fun, and funky design features two or more vibrant, electric hues that blend effortlessly.

This style is a fresh new way to show off your colorful side without struggling to choose colors.

A hand displaying long, almond-shaped nails painted in bright, gradient neon colors ranging from yellow to pink to blue.

Begin with a neon base, apply a thicker and darker layer of neon on top of the lid, and create soft transitions between colors to give the gradient additional appeal.

The most important aspect of this design is the color change, which makes the neon gradient truly stunning.

Close-up of a hand displaying nails with a pink and orange gradient design against a backdrop of green leaves.

Try on neons (the brighter, the better); you can either let your nails be a solar flare (a sunset palette) or a star cluster (an aquatic spectrum).

Minimalist Geometric Design

If you want a contemporary look for your short nails, the minimalist geometric design is a simple but elegant option combining good taste with pure style.

This design consists of clean lines, simple geometric shapes, and the placement of colors in specific areas to create a visually striking yet understated look.

Close-up of hands with white nails featuring black geometric designs, showcasing an ornate ring on one finger.

With minimalist nail care in mind, here are five aesthetic possibilities:

  • Triangular tips in contrasting hues
  • A single, boldly colored angular line across a neutral base
  • Minimalist dots forming a subtle box on a sheer backdrop
  • Diagonal dual-toned stripes for a dynamic look
  • A simple geometric color combination of half-moons at your nail base
Close-up of a hand displaying nails painted in orange with black line art, set against a soft shadowy background.

Each geometric pattern reveals an aesthetic of minimalism, an artful combination of invention and elegance.

Vibrant Striped Pattern

The striped pattern is a bright, animated design for short nails, combining colors and clean lines. Perfect if you like simple, clean designs. 

You can express your personality through stripes by selecting a rainbow of brilliant hues or a muted palette.

A close-up of a hand with nails painted in bright multicolored stripes, featuring combinations of red, yellow, blue, and green.

Pattern application is important here. 

Basecoat a nail with your chosen color, and then apply alternating stripes of differing widths across the nail with a thin brush.

Have fun with your stripe placement—they don’t have to be symmetrical.

With a steady hand and a little patience, you can get something pretty that’s as unique as you are.

A close-up of a hand displaying nails painted with bold horizontal stripes in blue, red, yellow, and white.

Let your nails be your canvas this summer, and let the colorful striped pattern be your masterpiece.

Beachy Palm Tree Nails

Moving on from the bold stripes, the popular beachy version of palm tree nails is an easy, breezy design representing that summer mood.

Palm tree nail art symbolizes calm, strength, and tropical vibes, making it a good design to put on your nails for any of your summer holidays. 

A close-up of a hand with nails painted with a tropical palm tree design against an ivory background, complemented by gold rings on the fingers.

The inspo:

  • The vibrant greens of palm fronds against a clear, azure sky.
  • Tiny coconuts nestled amidst the leaves.
  • A sandy nail bed, evoking warm beaches.
  • Glimmers reflecting off the ocean, achieved through a glossy topcoat.
  • An accent nail featuring a detailed palm tree silhouette.

Remember to preserve that summer manicure. Regular fills and appointments with your favorite nail tech, good nail maintenance, and keeping your nails out of the elements will keep your beachy palm tree nails glowing until fall.

A close-up of a hand with nails painted in a tropical palm tree design against a gradient sunset background.

Immerse yourself in beach magic right at your fingertips.

Shimmering Seashell Design

Let your fingernails tell a magical story with sparkling shells, a perfect summer polish that celebrates the beauty and wonder of aquatic creatures.

The symbolism of seashells is universal and is everything but dainty: they’re protection, prosperity, and the deep mysteries of the ocean itself.

Your nails can take center stage as a canvas for this aquatic sensibility and the painstaking craft of seashells interpreted in iridescent colors that shimmer like sea foam in the sun. 

Adding a hint of silver can help recreate that off-the-sea floor look. 

With every brushstroke, you engage in a creative act, combining organic designs of nature and your artistic expression.

Colorful Polka Dots

Freshen up your summer nails with a polka-dot manicure.

You’re not just painting dots; you’re painting Polka Dot History, a pattern that’s not going anywhere and is so super cute that you’ll obsess over it. 

Dot Size is also key: bigger dots create a bolder, retro look, while smaller ones generate a subtler, more delicate appearance.

Be sure to keep that whimsical attitude with this look and have fun with it! 

A hand displaying nails painted white with multicolored polka dots.

Consider these elements to elevate your polka-dot nail art:

  • Vibrant summer hues like turquoise, coral, or sunny yellow
  • Contrasting colors for the dots and base coat
  • Different dot sizes for variety and interest
  • Strategic dot placement for a unique pattern
  • A glossy top coat for longevity and shine
A close-up image of a hand with nails painted in white, each featuring a variety of colorful polka dots in pink, blue, orange, green, and yellow.

This summer, get your nail kit and let your nails make a statement with colorful polka dots. 

Cool Blue Tie-dye Nails

Refresh your nails this summer with a blast of cool tie-dye. This multi-shade look is just as seasonally appropriate as any other nail design.

This trend uses traditional tie-dye techniques to create a swirl of blue tones reminiscent of the sea floor. 

Close-up of hands with nails painted in a blue and white cloud design on a gray background.

Next, paint your nails with a white base coat and apply lighter shades of blue with a toothpick or fine brush to create a tie-dye effect. 

The trick is to experiment and embrace the creative process. Let the design be unpredictable; no two nails will look the same. 

Try a watermelon-inspired tie-dye look using light pink and green. 

You don’t have to be indecisive and spend too much time picking your color combos. You can a different tie-dye look on each nail! 

A close-up view of a hand showcasing nails painted with a blue and white cloud design.

You’ll see that tie-dye is not a fashion statement.

It’s an expression of your personality and is an energetic statement that will have you saying, “Hello, Summer!”  

Matte Finish Summer Nails

A matte finish compliments that summer vibe, as it can help make your nails look more elegant and sophisticated.

It offers a refreshing change from the typical gloss that accompanies such colors.

Close-up of a person's hand with nails painted in a matte turquoise color.

It is a good choice for those who say you need an understated but innovative look.

And on to the matte pastels. Think soft lavender, cool mint, and juicy watermelon, the colors subdued and refined.

Close-up of a hand with two-tone manicured nails in orange and cream, adorned with a large decorative gold ring.

With matte finish nails, you’ll be summer-ready with an understated, innovative, personal style. 

Summer Short Nail Designs

These colorful and funky designs will turn your nails into summer nails in a jiffy.

We’ve found a look to match your mood, from ocean waves to citrus sunshine, nude glitter, or something in between. 

Don’t be afraid to experiment with matte finishes, pastel rainbows, or colorful polka dots.

After all, the most important rule for your nail art this summer is to have fun with it.

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