Summer’s time to get your toes ready to show off in sandals!
Nail art is a huge trend that allows you to express your creativity and personality through fun designs on your fingernails and toenails.
This summer, step up your pedicure game with some eye-catching and innovative nail designs that will have all your friends asking where you got them done.
Play around with different colors, textures, and artistic details to create unique summer toe nail looks.
I’ve rounded up TOP stunning summer toe nail design ideas that you can easily recreate at home or bring to the salon to give your pedicure some pizzazz.
Read on for inspiration on taking your toes to the next level this season!
Neon Colors
Nothing says summer quite like bold, bright neon colors.
They instantly liven up any pedicure and add a fun pop of color to your toes. Try painting each nail a different neon shade like hot pink, lime green, electric orange and yellow.
You can also do neon tips by painting the first half of your nails white and the tips in neon colors. Another option is to alternate between neon colors on each nail.
Neon colors make a big statement and are perfect for summer music festivals, beach vacations, pool parties or adding excitement to a casual daytime look.
Go for brighter neons or try soft pastel versions like mint, lavender and melon.
Don’t be afraid to combine and mix different neon polish colors to create a unique summer design. This lively look is versatile and works on all nail lengths and shapes.
Tropical Paradise
Escape to a tropical paradise every time you look down at your toes with this gorgeous summer nail design.
It’s super easy to recreate and will have you dreaming of white sand beaches and crystal blue waters.
Start by painting your base color in a bright, popping coral, peach or orange hue.
Once dry, use a small detail brush to paint on palm trees, pineapples, hibiscus flowers or other tropical inspired shapes and objects. You can find stickers of tropical motifs made specifically for nails to make this mani even easier.
Add in some navy blue for ocean waves, light blue for water accents and greens for tropical foliage. Don’t forget to top it off with a sun shining high in the sky.
This design is best for short to medium length nails so you have plenty of room to paint all the details. The tropical theme is perfect for summer and will instantly put you in a vacation state of mind!
Fruity Fun
All the juicy fruits of summer like watermelon, oranges, lemons and cherries make for the cutest toenail designs. They add a splash of color and quirky charm to your pedicure.
Choose your favorite fruits and paint them on a clear or lightly colored background. You can also opt for fruit-inspired shades like coral, melon, peach or mint as your base color.
Some fruit patterns to try are watermelon slices with seeds, an orange slice with a leafy green stem, whole cherries with stems or a sliced lemon.
Use white and green to add details like seeds, leaves, stems and fruit rinds. Don’t be afraid to get creative with the shapes and designs.
You can even paint a fruit pattern on each nail so you have a different fruit on every toe! This look screams summer in a playful way.
Under the Sea
Cool down your pedicure with an under the sea design that’s perfect for beach days. Start by painting your nails in ocean inspired shades like seafoam green, deep teal, navy or royal blue.
Once dry, add wavy white lines for ocean waves and foamy sea bubbles. Paint different sea creatures like starfish, sea turtles, seashells and fish on each nail. Use glitter polishes to give the effect of light reflecting on the water.
You can also recreate coral reefs by painting pink corals on a blue background.
Top it off with seagrass and seaweed accents for added ocean vibes. Keep this look beachy and nautical for a coastal feel that’s just right for summer.
You’ll love glancing down at your toes and being transported underwater to this lovely marine world.
Florals
What better way to welcome in the season than with gorgeous floral inspired nails? Whether you prefer big blooms or delicate petals, flowers are a versatile design option perfect for summer.
Paint on colorful patterns like daisies, roses, tulips, orchids, sunflowers and wildflowers for a fresh, lively look. Go for an all over floral print or pick a large accent flower against a neutral background.
You can also paint on leaves, stems, flower pots or watering cans to complete the floral theme. Try using sheer pearl polishes to recreate morning dewdrops on petals and leaves for an extra dainty touch.
Florals complement both short and long nail lengths. From garden pastels to bold jewel tone blossoms, flower power is in this summer!
Minimalist Nude
For a more understated style, embrace the minimalist nail look this summer.
Neutral nude and pale pink tones are elegant and sophisticated for a clean, modern pedicure.
Go for almond and square shaped nails which best complement this stripped down style. Start by prepping nails with a clear base coat followed by two thin coats of your nude polish of choice.
Once completely dry, use a nail art pen or striping brush to add thin white stripes, geometric shapes or negative space details. You can also play with texture by adding a sheer pearlized top coat for dimension.
The minimalist look is fresh and chic for summer while still keeping nails looking nude and natural. Upgrade your go-to nudes with these simple yet impactful artistic accents.
Negative Space
One of the hottest nail trends for summer is negative space designs.
Basically, negative space refers to leaving parts of the nail bare while decorating other parts with colors, textures and art. To try out this look, start by applying your base color over most of the nail leaving the sides, cuticle area or tip bare.
Then get creative with stripes, shapes, lines and patterns to accent the empty spaces. You can also play with shades by painting on two alternating colors in different negative spaces. Some ideas are chevron stripes, diagonal zigzags, dotted lines, geometric shapes and abstract art.
The contrast of the bare nail next to the decorated sections really makes the art pop. Have fun with negative space by trying different patterns on different nails for tons of visual interest.
Marbled Magic
Give your toes a mesmerizing makeover this summer with marbled nail designs.
There are many techniques like dipping, smudging, splattering and combing to achieve a marbled look. The coolest part is that every marbled set turns out unique. Start by painting on your base color and choosing 2-3 complementary nail polish colors to marble with.
Try color combos like teal and gold, pink and purple, or orange and green for summery vibes.
Use tools like a toothpick, skewer, brush end or dotting tool to swirl and blend the shades. You can go for subtle marbling or bold streaks depending on the look you want.
Top coat with a glossy sealant to smooth out any ridges and make the colors really pop. Marbling creates so much texture, depth and movement for spellbinding summer toe nails.
Rainbows
What’s more cheerful than rainbows? This summer, put a smile on your face every time you look at your toes with a bright rainbow nail design.
There are a few ways to get this look.
For an ombre rainbow, apply nail polish in ROYGBIV (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet) order starting with red on the big toes and transitioning through the color spectrum to purple on your pinky toes.
Another method is painting each nail a different color of the rainbow. You can also paint white rainbow arches over a neutral base.
Get creative with colorful rainbow patterns like stripes, dots and geometrics. Top it off with glossy top coat for a smooth finish. Rainbow nails are great when you’re feeling bright, playful and want to show off your pride this season!
Metallic Shine
Elevate your pedicure with on-trend metallics that add glitz and glam for summer. From shimmery chromes to high-shine foils, metallic polishes reflect light and instantly dress up your toes.
Try a solid metal shade like rose gold, bronze, silver or gunmetal gray for maximum impact. You can also look for shades with flecks of iridescent glitter blended in.
To make metallics pop even more, layer them over dark blue, black or green base colors.
For added drama, paint on metallic shapes, lines or negative space details against a non-metallic background. Metallic nails pair perfectly with summer fashion and make your feet look fabulous in strappy sandals.
Shine on with this glamorous nail style under the sun!
Abstract Art
Tap into your artistic side this summer by painting abstract nail designs on your toes. Abstract simply means non-representational, so you can get as creative as you want using shapes, colors, lines and textures.
A fun way to start is choosing three nail polish colors that complement each other and randomly painting on triangles, squiggles, dots and stripes.
You can also pick a color palette like bold primaries or pastel neons and use those shades to paint different abstract shapes on each nail. Limiting your color selection helps the art look cohesive.
Use striping brushes for thin lines and define shapes with vinyl nail decals. Top off your abstract pedicure with a glossy top coat to smooth everything out and really make it pop!
Black and White
Stay cool in the summer heat with a chic black and white pedicure.
The contrasting color combo has a graphic yet stylish look. Start with a black base and let it dry fully before painting on white tip French stripes, zigzags, checks or dots.
You can also reverse it and do white nails with black overlay designs. Geometric shapes and linear patterns work especially well for the black and white trend.
For extra dimension, add a layer of sheer white iridescent pearl polish to make the white details pop. This also helps soften the harsh contrast between the black and white.
Matte top coat finishes create a velvety effect as another optional add on. With so many ways to wear it, black and white nails are eternally in style for summer and beyond.
Retro Vibes
Lastly, channel retro vibes with fun nail art inspired by past decades.
Try 60s mod dots and flower power daisies, 70s disco glitter boogie nights, 80s neon palm tree prints or 90s abstract zigzags. Pick your favorite retro decade and recreate the iconic nail trends with modern polish colors and techniques.
You can go for a different retro look on each nail for lots of variety.
Vintage mirror top coats also help capture that discoball disco aesthetic. Blast from the past by rocking retro nail art that’s totally far out this summer!
With so many amazing summer toe nail designs to choose from, you’re sure to find trendy looks perfect for showing off at the beach, on vacation or wherever your warm weather adventures take you.
Remember you can customize these looks by choosing colors, art and embellishments that fit your personal style. Mix and match your favorites or try something new each week for fresh summer toes all season long.
Say goodbye to boring nails and amp up your pedicure with these innovative and dazzling summer mani ideas. Your feet will be so fab, you’ll be looking for excuses to kick off your shoes!
