Once spring florals bloom, so does the resurgence of flower manicures. It’s a trend that translates beautifully into summer. “Floral nail designs add such an intricate, artistic look to any nail set. Be it hand-drawn flowers or actual dried flowers, they can level up any nail set,” says nail artist Priscila Rivas. And that’s regardless of the time of year.
Of course, finding the perfect nail design can be tricky, but it’s made easier when you can see the options you have to choose from. So we tapped Rivas, and fellow nail artists Sonia Sanchez and San Sung Kim for their advice on how to get flower manis to look fresh all year. Here, they share 28 stunning floral nail designs in different lengths, shapes, and colors. Read: There’s definitely something in here for all nail aficionados.
Meet the expert
- Priscila Rivas is a precision nail artist and Japanese gel educator. She’s based in Temecula, California.
- Sonia Sanchez is a nail artist and Aprés Nail brand ambassador in San Fernando, California.
- San Sung Kim is an L.A.-based nail artist. Kim specializes in minimalistic and avant-garde hand-painted nails.
Keep reading for the best flower nail design inspiration that’s expert-approved.
Garden Variety
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One of the best parts of taking a stroll in the park is being able to stop and smell the flowers. These include tulips, like the pink, downward-facing kind on the index finger seen here; lavender, like the lush ones on the middle and pinky fingers; and daisies, like the white ones on the ring finger. This mani is a great way to keep that feel-good energy at your fingertips.
Chrome Blooms
@melanated.mani/Instagram
Just because you’ll never see a chrome flower in nature doesn’t mean one can’t adorn your fingers. This shimmery nail puts a futuristic spin on florals that’s fun and seasonally appropriate. Plus, it adds a wonderful softness to the already-delicate chrome nail trend.
Coquette Vibes
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These pearl-and-tulip-adorned nails are the definition of coquette. As if the French tips and ribbon-like adornments weren’t enough, the artist added a 3D pearl outline to create a classy and flirty moment.
Petals and Metals
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Sanchez has a special place in her heart for this manicure. “The shade of purple added the perfect touch to the chrome base,” she says.The design also includes a pretty yellow shade, and each flower is accented with a tiny gold bead in the center.
Trippy Tulips
@sansungnails/Instagram
Kim created this mani featuring hyper-realistic tulips paired with purple-and-white checkerboard and white polka dot shapes. When creating a more intricate design, some tools to consider include “a dotting tool, fine liner brushes, or even toothpicks,” says Kim.
Pressed Petals
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Rivas used real dried flowers to create this design. “I also added dried green leaves and some glitter flakes, then encapsulated that with gel.” The design layers a large fuchsia flower as the focal point and is accented with small leaves, light purple flowers, and gold leaf.
Flower Power
@danaturenails/Instagram
This manicure has a funky vibe thanks to its use of ’70s-inspired shapes and colors. With florals on only two nails per hand, the nails are simple while still packing a major punch. It can be easily replicated with just the use of a dotting tool.
Fine China
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This stunning design is a nod to fine porcelain dishes, utilizing blue and white to create a classic and delicate floral nail design. Since chinaware comes in so many forms, you can make a design that’s similarly intricate or keep it simple for an easier DIY mani.
Earth Tones
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Florals don’t always have to be the primary detail—add in a single floral nail as a pop among other designs. This mani uses warm earth tones like sage green and latte brown in a matte finish to create a mani that’s perfectly grounding.
Muted Mini Florals
@karajillianbrown/Instagram
This nail design incorporates five muted shades, including blue, red, pink, and yellow, allowing it to work for any season. On the index finger nail, mini flower clusters at the top of one nail mimic a French tip. On the pinky nail, larger-scale flowers are the main event.
Fruits and Flowers
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These nails feature free-hand flowers created with gel polish. “I also painted some fruits to tie it all together,” says Rivas. “The possibilities are endless.” White daisies are complemented with oranges and lemons to create a fresh and pretty design.
Dark and Moody
@sansungnails/Instagram
Black tips anchor this mani as gorgeous purple, red, and white florals seemingly grow down the nail. By extending the florals beyond the crisp line of the tips, Kim created a whimsical manicure with a lot of movement.
If you’re interested in having your fingers appear longer, you don’t need long nails. Certain nail shapes, such as almond, can seemingly elongate fingers.
Sunflowers and Mums
@nails_by__bridgett/Instagram
Nothing screams fall florals like sunflowers and chrysanthemums, and this mani features both. Fellow nail artist Sonia Sanchez says the trick to wearing floral nails year-round is adjusting the colors and design elements. “During the fall season, floral nail art often highlights tones of brown, red-orange, and burgundy,” says Sanchez. “In winter, white and gold floral nail art becomes a popular choice.”The color palette, comprised of warm oranges and yellows paired with deep green, really seals the deal. Since the details are smaller but not intricate, it’s a great design for shorter nails.
Blooming Crescent
@jess_nails_it/Instagram
This mani gives a peak-a-boo moment by highlighting the nail’s half moon (a.k.a. the lunula) with a white flower. You can only see half of the flower, giving it a blooming effect. Although this design only uses three colors, the varied use of lines and florals creates a really dynamic mani.
Single Stems
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A single stem adorns each nail in this simple and stunning design. The black matte background creates a moody vibe akin to an old oil painting. Its muted nature also allows the otherwise dull shades of green, burgundy, and blue to really pop.
Morning Matcha
@danaturenails/Instagram
Inspired by a cup of matcha, this bright and fresh design is perfect for spring or any time you need a pick-me-up. If you wanted to give this mani a more fall vibe, consider opting for a darker green and a slightly darker yellow.
Shimmering Lotus
@gossipandgloss/Instagram
If hand-painted designs aren’t your thing, you can use decals to add a floral pop to your nails. This manicure features lotus flower decals accented by a thin silver outline around each nail to elevate the look.
Clear Floral Tips
@fleuryrosenails/Instagram
When wearing gel tips, sometimes it’s fun to lean into the fact that they’re fake and make use of the clear backdrop. This manicure does just that, highlighting the clear tips with multi-colored florals.
Japanese Cherry Blossoms
@nailartfairy/Instagram
When it comes to floral nails, you can go as extra—or as simple—as you want. A great option in the latter camp is opting for teeny floral designs. Here, the Japanese cherry blossoms are still detectable, but they’re not super loud. This is in part to their size, but the muted base also helps keep this mani low-key.
Gucci Florals
@sansungnails/Instagram
Kim created this mani after she was inspired by a gorgeous tube of Gucci lipstick. She replicated the tube’s pastel design on a sheer, nude backdrop so the florals get all the attention. It’s a good reminder that inspiration for your next design can come from anywhere.
Whimsical Wildflowers
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Whether they’re growing in a field, on the side of the road, or sitting in a vase on your counter, wildflowers look pretty without any fuss. This mani encapsulates that effortless beauty with its simple yet stunning design.
Floral Quilt
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Although florals are the centerpiece of this manicure, they pop because of the red outline that mimics the stitching on a quilt. And because red is the primary accent color, the blue and orange flowers pop without making the overall design super busy.
Dainty and Delicate
@sansungnails/Instagram
Florals can be super delicate, and this manicure is a perfect example of that. The colors are light, the pattern is tiny, and the background is sheer—three elements that lend this mani an airy and dainty look.
Bumble Bee
@nails_by__bridgett/Instagram
Bees love flowers and flowers love bees—so it’s only fitting to include both in one design. Placed on a nude background, this manicure is fun, simple, and springy.
Cool Tones
@danaturenails/Instagram
Using cool, dusty shades of blue, green, and purple make this floral design subtle and great for any time of year. The manicure has tons of interest, since there are three looks total: an almost-all-blue nail with a white and purple flower at the base; a light peach nail with blue, purple, and turquoise flowers; and a basic blue French tip.
Mediterranean Mani
@sansungnails/Instagram
Kim created these nails before heading on a vacation to the Mediterranean, and it absolutely shows. Pairing the blue-white-and-yellow tile motif with bright florals creates a complex yet cohesive look. And using that royal blue at the tips? Genius.
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