If you're anything like me, switching up your nail colors and designs to match the season or holiday just feels right. Spring is the perfect time to refresh your manicure with soft pastels, playful florals, and elegant designs that capture the season’s charm. Of course, everyone has their own preferences when it comes to nail styles and art, but I’ve put together a list of 10 spring fingernail designs that I personally love and find inspiring.
For information on top products to help create the stunning designs below, click on the "Shop These Looks" button at the bottom of the blog.
1. Pastel Ombré
Have you ever walked into a nail salon, looked at one of their wall canvases, and just could not stop admiring the nail art, thinking "Oooh, LOVE that look!" Well, that was me with ombré nails. Pastel shades are a springtime staple, and an ombré effect adds a dreamy, gradient touch. I personally think soft pinks, blues, lilacs, and mints blend beautifully for a fresh and modern look.
Courtesy Willtiptop
2. Floral Accents
Nothing says spring like flowers! Floral nail art can be hand-painted or applied using decals and stickers for a professional look at home. I'm all for pastel, dainty, or lacy, flowers on a neutral or light pink base, but which designs speak to you?
Courtesy artist hue
Courtesy Silviora and artist hue
3. Negative Space Designs
Minimalist yet eye-catching, negative space manicures use bare nail sections to create geometric, abstract, or delicate line art designs. Use of nail tape is a popular method for this design, and I quite like the look of the white, gold, silver, and rose gold for an elegant look, but you can find nail tape in a variety of colours and styles to suit your fancy.
Courtesy Pinch of Glam and DivaGaze.com
4. French Tip Reinvented
The classic French manicure is getting a 2025 makeover with colorful tips, asymmetrical lines, and double French accents. Numerous press-on nail brands offer sophisticated and beautiful interpretations of this timeless style, providing chic and effortless elegance for any event.
Courtesy Silviora and Nail Designs Daily
5. Glossy Jelly Nails
Jelly nails with a translucent, glass-like effect are gaining popularity. These nails look glossy, fresh, and youthful, making them perfect for spring.
Courtesy every girl edit
Courtesy Blush and Pearls
6. Metallic and Chrome Accents
Chrome and metallic nail finishes add a touch of futuristic shine to your spring nails. From full chrome nails to metallic-tipped designs, this trend is bold yet chic.
Courtesy Always Pretty Styling
7. Soft Velvet (or Cat Eye) Nails
Velvet nails are the epitome of luxury, giving your manicure a soft, plush appearance with a mesmerizing shimmer. This trend mimics the look of crushed velvet fabric, with light reflecting beautifully across the nail surface. Whether you opt for a deep, jewel-toned velvet look or a softer pastel shade, these nails bring instant sophistication. For best results, you can use a magnetic wand to create a velvety, shifting effect that catches the light just right (find a link to top rated wands here).
Courtesy the GRAY details
8. Speckled Egg Nails
As Lent kicks off today, you know what that means...Easter is on the Horizon! What better way to embrace the season than with speckled egg nails? Inspired by robin’s eggs, this design brings a playful yet natural touch to spring manicures. A speckled top coat over pastel polish creates a charming, nature-inspired effect that’s sure to be a conversation starter at your family’s Easter gathering.
Courtesy My Zogi
9. Soap Nails
The soap nail trend is all about achieving a clean, dewy, and almost "wet" look, reminiscent of freshly washed hands. This subtle and elegant manicure focuses on a sheer, glossy finish that enhances the natural beauty of your nails. Often done in soft nudes, milky whites, or translucent pinks, soap nails are perfect for those who love a minimal yet sophisticated aesthetic.
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Courtesy Byrdie and @ileticcia on Pinterest
10. Dainty Butterfly and Fairycore Nails
Butterflies symbolize transformation and renewal, making them a perfect design for spring. But why stop at just a simple butterfly accent? Enter the fairycore aesthetic—where soft pastels, iridescent finishes, and whimsical, nature-inspired elements come together for a truly magical manicure. Think shimmering lavender, dewy pinks, and delicate butterfly decals paired with a light dusting of glitter or pearlescent top coats to create a dreamy, fairy-tale effect. Whether painted, applied as decals, or embedded in acrylic nails, butterfly nails bring a touch of enchantment to your fingertips.
Courtesy @naildistricts on Instagram and Style Your Occasion
Courtesy Style Your Occasion and Five Senses of Living
Final Thoughts
Spring 2025’s nail trends celebrate fresh colors, unique textures, and creative designs. Whether you prefer a classic French tip, chrome accents, or sophisticated floral creations, there’s something for every aesthetic this season. Experiment with these beautiful trends to bring a fresh, seasonal update to your nails!
Oh, and by the way, for those girlies tackling gel nail designs at home, I stumbled across a tool, during my research, that could be a game changer for perfecting said designs - a portable UV light!
Courtesy Denabuty on Amazon
Do you have a favorite spring nail design, or tips you would like to share? Let us know in the comments!