Eleanor Vousden
Spring is not only a great time for refreshening your wardrobe—this period isn't synonymous with cleaning for nothing!—it's also a chance to breathe new life into your manicures with spring nail designs.
Experts have already predicted the trending polish shades and chicest nail art designs that look set to dominate the year ahead. (For the uninitiated, elegant neutrals and glittery nail polish will reign supreme.)
But the time between winter and summer is a season of renewal, meaning there's countless opportunities to lean into the gorgeous, minimalist manis and floral designs that are blooming in abundance. Don't believe me? I've already got more than enough inspiration for my spring salon appointment.
Ahead, keep scrolling for the 31 prettiest spring nail designs to inspire your next manicure and the products you need if you want to re-create them at home.
31 CHIC SPRING NAIL DESIGNS TO CONSIDER
1. Milky Manicures
Milk nails still feel so fresh for spring, and they're the ultimate neutral alternative to pink. Look for sheer white polishes that give a milky wash of colour to the nails. This look is all about having immaculately groomed hands, so keep a nourishing hand cream nearby for expensively soft hands.
The shade 'Glaciale' has a slightly icy undertone, making it the perfect crisp white for this kind of manicure.
This formula firms and improves the skin's elasticity thanks to a hard-working concoction of shea butter and niacinamide.
2. Blue Reverse French
If there's one colour palette I'm seeing everywhere right now, it's cobalt blue. If a bright colour all over the nails feels too much, then an accent French tip, or reverse French manicure, adds a touch of spring to your nails.
This is a steal.
3. Pastel French
Pastel French tips are set to be one of the biggest nail trends of 2024, and this spring-ready look merges the two perfectly. Keep your base sheer and glossy and your colours bright to nail this fresh nail art.
You know you're chic if you're wearing lavender—the colour fashion people can't stop wearing this year.
4. Checkerboard Green
From matcha to pistachio, green nails will continue to trend in 2025, but I'm head over heels for this lush fern green that reminds me of freshly cut grass.
A shade that will have you feeling like you're in the fields of Provence, even if you are just in Primrose Hill.
5. Curved Colours
While this simple spring nail design would look good in any complementary hues, there's no denying that these Valentine's-inspired shades look particularly cute. This might be one to re-create right now.
This nail design might look simple, but it's anything but basic with a lathering of this Christian Louboutin Beauty nail polish.
6. Warm Neutrals
There are some key colour trends emerging for nails in 2026, and this elegant spring nail design comprises two of them. Indeed, barely there neutrals and warm shades continue to be popular year after year. Think soft linens, earthy tangerines and hints of terracotta when re-creating this at home.
You'll want something the colour of your favourite wellness shot. Think: deep tumerics, rich gingers and vibrant oranges.
7. Seashell Shine
While spring nails may have you envisioning lush rolling hills, why not tease the incoming summer season with an homage to the sea? Teaming the perfect spring-ready pink with intricate nail art and colour-pop gems, it's the ultimate ode to the British coast.
As celebrity manicurist Georgia Rae explained to Who What Wear UK, blush pinks work great as a neutral canvas, but also as a base for French manicures. This shade is also one of the leading wedding nail colours.
8. Neon Tips
Colourful French manicures are still dominating my Instagram feed, but I'll be freshening up this simple nail design for spring by opting for neon hues—the brighter, the better.
This shade is giving 'Brat Spring' energy.
9. Geo Clash
From the clashing colour palette to the sharp geometric nail design, this creative approach to nail art feels spring-fresh.
Embrace your inner Memphis Group artist with this piquant peach shade.
10. Very Peri Metallics
Much like grown-up glitter was the unexpected nail trend of last year, metallics and foiling (previously the reserve of party season) will shine this spring. This metallic-tipped mani in lavender blue is so cool.
This cat eye nail polish has that built-in sparkling effect that makes the trend so popular.
11. Small-Scale Blooms
While bold blooms are dominating the spring nail trends, this microscopic design might be more up your street if you want something a little more subtle. Both intricate and minimal, I'll be heading to the salon stat for a professional re-creation.
Nail art looks best on healthy, vibrant nails. Ensure you're taking care of them by using a protective base coat.
12. Tutti-Frutti Hues
A mix-and-match mani is always a good idea and works year-round—just adjust the colours that you pick to the trending hues of the season. This spring, it's all about having fun with colour. Think traditional pastels mixed with pops of coral and pistachio green.
13. Pastel Pop Art
The best spring nail designs are awash with creativity, and this pastel beauty is the perfect example. There are '60s-inspired checkerboard prints, cutesy star and heart prints that speak to my inner '90s child and a smorgasbord of delightful sorbet shades. Dreamy.
Just pair with Essie's Gel Couture Top-Coat for that salon-at-home finish. This combination will also keep self-done manicures chip-free for up to a fortnight.
14. Abstract Mattes
I love this nail look for so many reasons—the mix-and-match patterns, the unexpected colour-block nails, that shade of tangerine—but it's the matte finish that really elevates this spring nail design for me.
This shade always reminds me of the vibrant tones featured in Dior's Resort 2023 collection, which took place in the stunning Spanish city of Seville.
15. White Waves
I adore white nails in summer, but if it feels a little too soon to go for an all-over colour, then this wistful, wavy nail art is the perfect entry point.
A colour as creamy as milk.
16. Y2K Mix-Up
This super-fun nail art is a mash-up of basically everything that was trending in the late '90s and early '00s. From the grunge-inspired flames and skater checks to the cutesy cherry print and emoji-inspired smiley, it shouldn't all work together, but somehow it just does.
If you don't have the capacity to devote time to bespoke nail art, use these nail stickers to add some personality to your digits. Spring nail designs are only a press away.
17. Flower Power
I love how this retro floral print could veer into kitsch territory, but by picking bold colours and layering the design over a bare nail, it looks decidedly fresh for spring.
Embrace the soft and slow nature of spring with this supple baby blue.
18. Glossy Tortoiseshell
Spring nail designs don't have to be pastel-centric. This high-shine tortoiseshell design is a chic way to add a subtle little boost to any outfit.
If the labour of mixing a custom brown chrome shade is putting you off trying a glossy tortoiseshell manicure, fear not. This Mylee polish is easy to use and has the exact colour payoff needed to try you hand at this style.
19. Sapphire Amulet
I'm calling it—blue will be the biggest nail colour trend of 2023. While last year was more about the cornflowers and sky blues, this year will lean into deeper sapphires, navies and royal blue hues. I love how this minimalist Turkish eye design feels so fresh for spring.
20. Animal Print
Animal prints are the ultimate neutral. Cow, leopard and snake print designs are a great way to transition some of your favourite winter nail hues through to spring.
This nail set is ideal for achieving an array of of nail designs.
21. Farmers Market
What better way to honour the fresh produce that's found in abundance this time of year than a spring nail design inspired by your favourite farmers market staples? Even Hailey Bieber is a fan.
Pleasing, the beauty brand owned by Harry Styles, always delivers dopamine-boosting shades, like this pea green here.
22. Opal Chrome
Add some dimension to the classic glazed manicure with this multi-toned and opal-esque design. Even Kylie Jenner is a fan.
This soft mauve and affordable polish from Rimmel is a great base coat for this type of spring nail design.
23. Textured Prints
3-D art will always have a place in our hearts. But this design is reminiscent of motifs found on '60s surf posters and '90s rave pamphlets, making it the electric nail design needed for spring.
If you want a similar statement-making design without all the fuss, try this Essie shade.
24. Chic Critters
Who would've thought that micro nail art could make the insects crawling around our garden look so chic? If spring is about turning over a new leaf, why not embrace seasonal creepy crawlies through our nail art à la Kylie Jenner?
For a more classic look, use a high-octane yellow to recreate the voltage French tips.
25. Studded Glaze
Springtime is all about coming out of our wintery hibernation. Diamonté accents are the perfect way to inject life into our nails. What else says we're ready for what's ahead than a party-ready mani?
This gel polish will survive plenty of mileage on dance floors.
26. Gemstone Art
Similar to the above, gemstone artwork is the unexpected nail trend that makes your manicures look so expensive without requiring extra time at the salon.
Just use your favourite base coat and layer on rhinestones before finishing with a top coat should you be trying this trend yourself.
27. Cloud Nine
What's a better welcome for soft white clouds and blue stretches of sky than a gorgeous empyrean-inspired manicure?
If the ombré base feels a little too difficult to replicate at home, use this lavender hue as a canvas before applying the cloud illustrations.
28. In Bloom
Hailey Bieber's sweet blossom motifs are the epitome of spring nail designs.
While she kept her finish more matte, we love this illuminating varnish for a touch of radiance.
29. Bouquet Tips
Take the timeless French tip to the next level by topping your almond-shape manicure off with a hand-drawn bouquet.
Contrast the soft pink foundation with this rich-looking blue.
30. Floral Fever
Vanessa Hudgens's elongated chrome floral nails feels like having a dreamy botanical garden within arms reach.
If you're after something just as captivating, but far more minimal, reach for this electric pink from Chanel Beauty.
31. Strawberry Milk
Sometimes you really just can't beat a pale pink glaze. Ask your tech to combine a transparent white polish with a sheer pink over the top to create a chic strawberry milk hue.
This polish is the closest match in a bottle.
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