Warm weather, cold drinks, the ocean or the sound of your AC as you look for mani ideas on Pinterest. Nothing makes you look more summery than a fresh set of painted nails. In 2025, the focus is on mood, personality and the playful touches that match your mood this season.
Need some nail ideas that fit your time at the beach, in the office, at brunch and everywhere else? I’ve rounded up some of my favorite looks that hit every note—whether you’re into short almond, square, or even coffin shape. Let’s discuss color, design and how you can make each one unique to you.
Pastel Sky Meets Balloon Whimsy
There’s something about this soft blue polish that makes me think of beach umbrellas and bubblegum skies—light, breathable, and incredibly relaxing. The simple balloon art on the ring finger is just enough to brighten your look, so this is perfect for a casual vacation or a coffee break with friends. It’s the perfect summer nail idea for 2025, as it’s short and simple but not boring.
To recreate this airy almond colorful design, go with a baby blue gel base—try OPI’s “It’s a Boy!” or Essie’s “Borrowed & Blue.” You can either buy water transfers from Etsy or paint the balloon decals with a micro brush and thin gel liners in lavender and fuchsia colors.
Nail prep is everything. I first dry buff and use a pH bonder before putting on my base coat. After the color layers have cured, I put on a top coat that doesn’t need to be wiped, then place the decals and seal it once more. Don’t forget your cuticle oil—always.
This one’s my go-to when I want something that whispers summer, not shouts it. It’s both cheerful and effortless, so you can easily copy these summer nail trends from 2025.
Peachy Clean and Citrus-Fresh
I think this nail style would be my choice for all of summer. The short square shape makes it totally functional (hello, typing and cooking), and that peachy-orange base is like a sunrise in lacquer form. Fresh peach fruits on white nails give the set a special “I just spent time in Napa” feel.
Olive & June’s “JLR” or Sally Hansen’s “Peach of Cake” are good vibrant corals to choose. If you want to use decals, that’s the easiest, but for a full DIY version, use a dotting tool, a fine liner and shades of coral, yellow and green gel paints. Seal it all in with a high-gloss top coat.
The design for this vacation is perfect, as it is still both cute and elevated. If you’d like your clothes to reflect your style but still be appropriate for work, you’ll find plenty to like here. It gives the look of fun fruity nails, but in a way that’s not overly young.
Watermelon Slices with a Side of Sass
These nails are straight-up juicy. The watermelon half-moon on my pointer and middle fingers is what I love most about 2025 summer nails—it’s bold, fun and really stands out. The rest of the set? A bright fuchsia color applied in a short almond shape gives you a striking but everyday look.
To get this bright fruit-themed moment, you’ll want a punchy pink like Essie’s “Watermelon” (fitting, right?) and a thin art brush for the black seeds and green rind. Painting the base with the half-moon should be the first step and you can fill in the details afterward.
There is a bit of a wait, but I promise it’s worth every minute. I put on a similar style to a beach picnic last year and got so many compliments I had to give out my nail tech’s number more than once.
Retro Waves with a Bubblegum Twist
This one reminds me of drinking pink lemonade while roller skating by the boardwalk. The swirly art in blue and hot pink on cotton candy reminds me of the 2000s and I love it. The simple lines of the almond design make it seem mature, even though the color palette is fun.
You should have two detail brushes and gel paints in baby blue, fuchsia and pale pink. I find The Gel Bottle’s art gel collection very helpful for making clean lines. Begin by drawing your base, then use your freehand to make the curves from the cuticle to the tip. It’s easier than it looks—just breathe and go slow.
Summer nails couldn’t get any more cheerful than this almond shade. I’d go for a matching bikini and a heavy gold necklace with it. It’s even better when you use it for an iced matcha or a good beach book.
Polka Dots, Zebras & Bright Blue Confidence
When you can’t pick between a lot of accessories and not many, you mix the two and turn it into a fashion statement. This coffin shape mani combines stripes, spots and a bold matte blue in a way that looks great together. To be honest, this look would fit right into a magazine and your next nail appointment.
You can get the coffin shape by applying sculpted gel tips before anything else. Stick with black and white gel paint for patterns and draw alternating zebra and dot lines with a striper brush and dot cleverly using a dotting tool. The bold matte blue? I used Essie’s “Butler Please” and finished it with a velvet matte top coat.
I love how edgy yet wearable this feels. It’s adding strength, style and a bit of attitude—exactly what I need for hot girl summer 2025.
Colorful Chaos with a Smile
This is all about your main character energy, so it’s vibrant, chaotic, a bit retro and totally unbothered. Periwinkle, baby blue and sherbet peach, along with a cow-print and a black smiley? Yes, please. It’s the simple nature of the almond design that sets it apart. Summer nail inspiration for 2025 now has a new mascot.
If you’re doing everything yourself, choose Essie’s “Blue-La-La” for the blue, “Tart Deco” for the peach and a clean white base for your statement nails. To make the blue blobs, use a dotting tool and a fine liner for the smiley. Finishing your nails with a glossy top coat will ensure your colors really shine.
Whenever I have mixed nails like these, I find that people smile at me more often. Maybe it’s the vibe. Maybe it’s the actual smiley. Yet, this one gives off a cheerful and sunny vibe no matter what.
Neon French with a Pink Punch
Minimalism? Not today. The mix of hot pink and neon green French tips on this short almond mani makes it look like you’re ready for a poolside party in Miami. The colors are bold, the look is fun and it’s still something you’d wear every day. You get the best of both worlds with this summer nail idea—it’s easy to do and looks great on stage.
I think the base pink is similar to OPI’s “Suzi Nails New Orleans,” and the neon green is best matched by Beetles Gel Polish in “Lime Mojito.” First, put on your base, let it dry, then use French tip guides or a fine angled brush to create the edge.
This one’s pure power. I’ve put it on for everything from concerts to brunch and always felt a little more confident.
Geometric Joy in Sunset Shades
This set results in murals that look like sunsets and summer events in the city. Contrasting orange, green, yellow and blue in short square graphic elements gives the logo a modern yet nostalgic quality. It’s like a color-block dress for your fingertips—and yes, it works for every age.
For this effect, use gel liners in colors that remind you of citrus fruits and the ocean. First, paint the base a white color and then add the blocks with thin detail brushes. End the process by adding a shiny protective coating for the unity of the sharp lines.
Honestly, this gives 2025 short and smart. If you’re looking for something bold, neat and artistic, this is the font for you.
Lime French Tip 2.0—But Make It Sculptural
If the traditional French tip got a Gen Z makeover, it would end up like this. A green wave pattern lines the coffin base and a glossy pink nude highlights the colors. I love this summer nail idea that’s a little different and sculpted.
I suggest using sculpted gel extensions for the square tip and applying Bio Seaweed’s “First Love” as the jelly pink base. Brush on the lime and chartreuse gels in wavy lines at the edge and finish with a non-wipe gloss.
It’s daring but still something I’d wear for parties or on dates, since it says “cool girl” without being too bold for my outfits.
Coral-Inspired Beachside Dream
I really mean that this design is perfect for your summer beach trip. This almond set appears to be coral reefs touching the crystal blue water. Coating the painted branches over pink-hued nails creates a mermaid design worthy of any museum. It’s the very heart of summer nail inspo blue.
This design is a labor of love. You could use a coral-pink stamping plate or just use a small brush and red gel paint to draw the lines yourself. A good oceanic base is made by applying “Teal Me Something New” over “Mint Convertible.”
This mani isn’t just cute—it’s storytelling. Whenever I have ocean-themed nails, I feel as if I’m taking a bit of my dream trip with me, whether I’m just at the store or not.
Daisy-Drenched Pink & Yellow Pop
Nothing is more summery than using sorbet colors and adding dainty daisies to your look. By mixing creamy yellow and pink, this almond design adds one floral accent nail to make us feel sunny and happy. It’s soft, but still bright enough to catch a stranger’s compliment at the farmer’s market.
DND has great shades called “Lemon Sorbet” and “Pink Smoothie” that you’ll love. I used a dotting tool with white gel polish and a tiny brush for the petals on the daisies. Start with the yellow base, make sure it’s cured and then add the art so it doesn’t mix with the yellow.
You can try out 2025 simple nail ideas without giving up the Pinterest look. Any time I choose this matching pair, I have a feeling that I am surrounded by the scent of lemonade.
Playful Neon Dots and Comic Heart Art
This short square design is a blast of personality and will make every nail stand out. With the neon yellow, citrus orange, dot patterns and graphic heart, it’s as if your nails have hosted a party and everyone was there. If you’re looking for a bold look that doesn’t take long to do, this is the perfect nail trend for you.
You have to use a strong neon yellow, white and black gel liner for this art. The heart is controlled by outlining it first and then filling it with bright green. For the dots, go full 60s and dot in neat rows with a stylus tool or use a pre-made stencil if you’re in a rush.
This look gives energy. I imagine this working perfectly at a summer party or with a white shirt and some neon accessories. It’s all about balancing loud colors with soft confidence.
Watermelon Neon Burst
This is not a set for people who are shy and that’s the whole idea. With a short almond shape and an ultra-vivid blend of hot pink, neon green, and watermelon slices, this mani practically shouts pool party! It takes summer nail trends for 2025 and makes them even shorter.
To recreate this set, grab neon pink (try “Hotter Than You Pink” by OPI), acid green, and jet black for the seed details. Start with the solid nails first. To make the watermelon art, sketch semi-circle tips, add the green and white stripes and dot the seeds after the piece has cured.
I tried this outfit on a day at the boardwalk and it really seemed to make my ice cream taste better. Seeing fruit art is sure to brighten your day.
Peachy Orange Grove Realness
This simple set from summer nail inspo 2025 has just a few oranges on a creamy peach background. It’s a simple, plant-based style that’s perfect for when you want to feel fresh and comfortable. With a coffin shape that elongates the fingers, it’s giving citrus chic in every swipe.
You’ll need a soft apricot base (try “Peachy Keen” by China Glaze), a nail art brush, and gel polishes in orange and green. If you want it to be easy, use fruit nail stickers and finish with two top coats.
This design is so comfortable that I’d choose it for job interviews, wedding showers or just relaxing in a linen dress under lemon trees. There’s something special about maintaining a cute and seasonal look.
Lime Blooming Flower Power
If Barbie went rave, it might look like this. Mixing matte neon yellow and 3D flowers over a clear base with black swirls, this coffin set is sure to make you want to dance to Dua Lipa in your mirror. Summer nail inspo 2025 got wild—and we love it.
You should have “Electric Daisy” from Color Club, a matte top coat and floral embellishments or 3D gel paste. Add the flowers using a dotting tool or decals and then paint a layer of swirled art over a dried base to give the nails a retro-pop look.
This mani is an instant statement. I wore the same style to a rooftop party last August and people complimented my nails more than my outfit—which basically sums it up.
Safari Chic in a Mani
This almond colorful set is pure wild energy. Putting together bright fuchsia, turquoise, zebra stripes and leopard print, this outfit is like saying, “I’ve taken care of everything for the trip.” Every nail is unique, but put them together and you get an impressive, picture-perfect look.
You must have four bold base colors: fuchsia, teal, beige and white. Black gel liner and a small detail brush will be good for animal prints. Reproduce the spots of the leopard illegally and include wavy lines for the stripes of the zebra. After everything else dries, apply a topcoat with a lot of shine for even better contrast.
It looks like a fashion editorial from summer—full of fun, drama and lots of flair. If you want your nails to make a statement this summer, check out this set.
Lemon Zest Minimal with Silver Curve
The 2025 square manicure is so fresh and clean that it seems just like sparkling citrus water. A single silver squiggle on a nail separates the yellow, making the look more stylish and less simple. This one’s made for those who want to look nice without being over the top.
This look is simple to create with “Copacabana” by DND or any very shiny yellow and a metallic silver gel liner for the curved part. Apply lemony yellow polish to every nail, let it dry and then use one easy stroke to create the curve on your selected finger.
It’s often a small detail that can completely change the outcome. I wear this to get a clean, bright nail and it looks especially nice with white linen when the weather is hot.
Retro Surf Vibes in Pink and Blue
This almond simple design is giving California Dreamin’. The middle nails have a swirl of blue, white and pink, while the outer nails are kept solid. It melts together a sense of fun with an old-school touch that immediately makes me imagine open car windows on a trip.
Use a matte base coat to make sure your lines stick well. After that, draw your curves with a lot of pigmented gel polish and a long striping brush. In my opinion, you can rely on Dolly, Blueberry and Marshmallow from The Gel Bottle.
This mani is perfect when you have a beach tote or a matcha latte in hand. It’s laid-back but visually rich—a great pick if you’re flirting with bold colors but want to keep the shape 2025 almond short simple.
Ice Cream Pastel Florals
Think about the best memories from a summer when you were a child: sherbet, pastel jelly sandals and daisy stickers. That’s the vibe this almond colorful set serves. Using soft yellow, orange, lilac and mint green and adding a floral-accent nail, creates a design that’s both classic and modern.
You should get a soft-touch pastel gel kit and Beetles’ “Sweet Treats” is one I really like. Switch between two shades and to make the floral accent, use a fine dotting tool to draw lavender daisies and a green background of leaves.
I wore this on a weekend trip to a cabin in July and I couldn’t stop admiring my hands. It’s not hard to do, but it still looks amazing and it’s ideal for those looking for a cheerful summer nail idea this year.
Pineapple Pop Realness
I believe: if your nails don’t brighten your day, then why bother? This summer, the almond short design with its cheerful yellow and pineapple color is sure to make you feel happy. It’s fruity, flirty, and sunshine in a manicure.
The yellow polish should be bright and smooth—you could use Orly’s “Glowstick.” You can put a nail decal on the pineapple or you can also draw a grid pattern and leafy shapes in caramel and green colors. A milky white base helps the art pop.
This one is a mood booster. Whenever I have yellow nails, I feel a little more hopeful and might decide to try something new.
Lime Love and Neon Glow
This set is zesty, loud, and completely unforgettable. The glowing neon base paired with citrus-slice art and leafy details creates a look that’s both tropical and editorial. The coffin shape holds it all together and the design makes it feel like a party with a hint of mojito. This nail idea for summer 2025 stands out and looks great on its own.
Mix Electric Lime from Kiara Sky with white and green gels to draw the lime art. If you don’t feel comfortable drawing by hand, citrus nail stickers or decals will do the job; just top them with a thick layer of glossy polish.
This set radiates vacation energy. You reach for this one when you want your nails to be noticed, whether you’re enjoying the sun at Palm Springs or having a drink at the beach. If you’re diving into summer nail inspo blue, pink, simple, or almond, this is the daring cousin you wear when you’re feeling extra.
