Running a busy nail salon means constantly balancing what’s trending with what clients ask for all year round. We know how important it is to stay ahead of nail trends while still offering reliable, popular designs that keep your books full month after month.
Whether you’re refreshing your nail menu, training staff, or designing a new salon space, this guide will walk you through seasonal nail designs your clients love and classic styles that never go out of fashion. All while helping you maximise your workspace and client experience.
Why nail design trends matter for salon owners
Nail designs aren’t just about aesthetics, they’re a huge driver of bookings. Clients often choose a salon because they’ve seen a design on Instagram, Pinterest, or your price list that feels fresh and current.
Keeping your nail offering updated:
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Encourages repeat bookings
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Helps upsell nail art and premium services
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Makes your salon feel modern and professional
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Gives your team creative confidence
Pairing beautiful nail designs with a well-designed nail station also makes a huge difference, clients notice when your space feels organised, comfortable, and high-end.
Seasonal nail designs your clients will love
🌸 Spring nail designs
Spring is all about fresh starts and soft colour palettes. Clients tend to move away from darker shades and lean towards:
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Pastel nails (baby pink, lilac, mint, peach)
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Floral nail art and hand-painted details
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Short, natural nail shapes
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French tips with a pastel twist
Spring is the perfect time to promote nail art add-ons, as clients are more open to playful, delicate designs.
☀️ Summer nail designs
Summer is one of the busiest seasons for nail salons. Holidays, weddings, festivals, and events mean bold nails are in demand.
Popular summer nail designs include:
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Bright colours (coral, neon pink, turquoise, yellow)
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Abstract patterns and swirl designs
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Chrome finishes and glazed nails
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Tropical-inspired nail art
This is also when clients tend to book group appointments, so having comfortable, practical nail desks and seating really matters.
🍂 Autumn nail designs
Autumn brings a shift towards warm, earthy tones and more sophisticated designs. Clients often ask for:
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Burnt orange, chocolate brown, olive green, burgundy
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Matte finishes
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Minimal nail art with gold accents
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Almond and coffin nail shapes
Autumn is a great time to refresh your salon interior too, darker tones and cosy textures pair beautifully with luxury nail furniture.
❄️ Winter nail designs
Winter nails are all about glamour and elegance. From Christmas through to New Year, clients love:
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Deep reds, navy, emerald, and black
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Glitter, chrome, and metallic accents
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Festive nail art and subtle sparkle
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Classic red nails for events
Winter is when salons benefit most from offering premium nail services, so ensuring your nail stations look polished and professional helps justify higher price points.
✨ Event nails ✨
Find the perfect nail design for every special moment. Whether you’re celebrating love, a milestone, or a magical season, our event nail designs are created to match your vibe perfectly.
🎄 Christmas nail designs
Festive, glamorous, and full of sparkle.
Popular styles:
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Classic red, emerald green & deep berry tones
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Gold foil, chrome accents & glitter finishes
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Snowflakes, stars, candy cane tips
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Neutral festive nails with subtle shimmer for elegance
Perfect for: Parties, family gatherings, Christmas photos & New Year celebrations.
💖 Valentine’s nail designs
Romantic, playful, and love-filled.
Popular styles:
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Soft pinks, reds, and milky nudes
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Heart details, love lettering & subtle glitter
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French tips with heart accents
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Chrome pinks & glazed finishes
Perfect for: Date nights, Galentine’s, proposals & romantic getaways.
🎂 Birthday nail designs
Bold, fun, and made to stand out.
Popular styles:
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Statement colours & mixed designs
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Rhinestones, 3D charms & glitter
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Chrome nails & custom colour themes
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“Birthday girl” accents or initials
Perfect for: Birthday parties, nights out, photos & celebrations.
✈️ Holiday nails designs
Stylish nails that travel beautifully.
Popular styles:
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Neutral luxury sets for effortless glam
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Tropical colours, ombré & marble designs
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French tips with a twist
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Minimal designs that grow out well
Perfect for: Beach holidays, city breaks, honeymoons & staycations.
💍 Wedding nail designs
Timeless, elegant, and beautifully detailed.
Popular styles:
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Soft nudes, blush pinks & milky whites
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French tips, baby boomer & glazed nails
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Pearl details, subtle crystals & fine line art
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Matching bridal party sets
Perfect for: Brides, bridesmaids, engagement parties & hen dos.
👶 Baby shower nail designs
Soft, sweet, and effortlessly elegant.
Popular styles:
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Milky nudes, blush pinks & soft pastels
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Delicate florals, subtle shimmer & fine line art
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Minimal accents with pearls or crystals
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Neutral designs perfect for photos
Perfect for: Baby showers, gender reveals & maternity celebrations.
💍 Hen party nail designs
Fun, stylish, and celebration-ready.
Popular styles:
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Matching sets for the bridal party
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Soft pinks, whites & champagne tones
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Chrome accents, subtle glitter & personalised details
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Elegant designs that transition from day to night
Perfect for: Hen weekends, spa days, dinners & nights out.
💕 Anniversary nail designs
Romantic, refined, and timeless.
Popular styles:
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Neutral bases with delicate detailing
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Soft shimmer, chrome finishes & fine accents
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Minimal hearts or abstract designs
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Elegant shapes with a luxury finish
Perfect for: Romantic dinners, weekend getaways & special milestones.
🎓 Graduation nail designs
Clean, confident, and camera-ready.
Popular styles:
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Classic nude or French designs
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Soft gloss, subtle shimmer or minimal crystals
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Neutral tones that complement any outfit
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Elegant designs with long-lasting wear
Perfect for: Graduation ceremonies, celebrations & photos.
✨ Prom & formal event nail designs
Glamorous, sophisticated, and unforgettable.
Popular styles:
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Chrome finishes, glitter fades & statement accents
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Colour-matched nails to dresses or accessories
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Elegant embellishments & sleek shapes
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High-gloss or soft matte finishes
Perfect for: Proms, balls, black-tie events & formal occasions.
🕯️ Halloween nail design idea
Seasonal details with a soft, modern finish.
Subtle Halloween nails are perfect for those who love seasonal styling without bold or overpowering designs. Featuring delicate, hand-painted details on soft nude and neutral bases, these designs add just a hint of Halloween charm.
All-year-round nail designs that never go out of style
While trends change, some nail designs are always in demand and every salon should have these in their portfolio.
🤍 Classic french manicure
Timeless, elegant, and perfect for all ages. Modern versions include:
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Micro French tips
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Coloured French lines
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Ombre French (baby boomer nails)
💅 Nude & natural nails
Perfect for professionals, brides, and low-maintenance clients.
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Sheer pinks and beige tones
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Builder gel with a glossy finish
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Clean, minimal nail art
✨ Chrome & glazed nails
Still hugely popular year-round, especially for:
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Special occasions
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Clients who want something elevated but neutral
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Instagram-worthy results
🔴 Red nails
A true classic. From bright cherry red to deep wine shades, red nails are a safe, reliable choice that clients return to again and again.
💅 Popular leopard print nail designs
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Nude or milky bases with soft brown detailing
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Matte finishes for a modern, luxe look
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Leopard print accent nails paired with plain gloss nails
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Gold foil or chrome accents for added glamour
🖤 Abstract line art nail designs
Art-inspired with a modern edge.
Abstract nails use fine lines, shapes, and minimal detailing to create a unique yet wearable look.
Popular styles:
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Nude bases with white or gold lines
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Asymmetrical designs
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Minimal accents on one or two nails
Perfect for: Fashion-forward clients, everyday chic & modern styling.
✨ Glazed & milky nail designs
Clean, glossy, and effortlessly expensive-looking.
Glazed nails are all about shine and softness. This trend remains hugely popular for clients who love a minimal but polished look.
Popular styles:
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Milky white glaze
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Nude glazed finishes
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Glaze with subtle chrome sheen
Perfect for: Everyday wear, holidays, bridal looks & minimalist styles.
🌸 Blush nail designs
Soft, dreamy, and ultra-trendy.
Aura nails feature a gentle glow effect that blends seamlessly into the base colour. This style feels modern, artistic, and incredibly flattering on all nail lengths.
Popular styles:
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Nude & blush pink aura
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Soft lilac, peach & milky white tones
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Aura paired with minimal gems
Perfect for: Everyday wear, baby showers, weddings, and minimal lovers.
🎀 Themed nail designs
Express your personality through playful, creative nail designs.
Themed nails are all about having fun and making a statement. Whether you’re inspired by iconic pop culture moments, colour trends, or your favourite aesthetic, themed nail designs allow you to turn your manicure into a true reflection of your style.
From bold and playful to chic and nostalgic, each themed set is carefully designed to be eye-catching, beautifully detailed, and completely unique.
💖 Barbie-inspired nail designs
Pink, playful, and unapologetically fun.
Barbie nails are perfect for anyone who loves all things pink and glamorous. Think glossy finishes, soft pastels, glitter accents, bows, and bold statement details. These designs can be as subtle or as bold as you like.
Perfect for: Birthdays, holidays, nights out, and anyone embracing their pink era.
🐶 Dog or pet-themed nail designs
Cute, personal, and hugely popular.
Pet-inspired nails are a big hit, especially when clients want something meaningful but still stylish. Designs can be subtle and classy or playful and fun.
Popular styles:
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Paw prints or silhouettes
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Neutral bases with tiny dog faces
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French tips with paw accents
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Custom designs inspired by your own pet
Perfect for: Everyday wear, pet lovers, personalised sets.
🧸 Teddy nail designs
Soft, cosy, and adorable.
This theme is everywhere on TikTok and Instagram. Think soft browns, creams, baby pinks, and tiny teddy details.
Popular styles:
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Teddy bear accents
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Soft matte finishes
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Brown, beige, and blush tones
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Minimal cute characters
🎀 Coquette / bow nail designs
Feminine, romantic, and trending hard.
This aesthetic is huge right now. Soft colours, bows, pearls, and delicate details make this perfect for clients who want something girly but elegant.
Popular styles:
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3D bows
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Soft pinks and milky bases
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Pearl and crystal accents
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French tips with bow details
🩷 Y2K nail designs
Fun, nostalgic, and bold.
Y2K nails are back in a big way, inspired by early 2000s fashion and pop culture.
Popular styles:
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Bright pinks, blues & purples
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Checkered prints
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Chrome finishes
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Hearts, stars & smiley faces
🎮 Gaming or cartoon nail designs
Playful with a modern edge.
Inspired by cartoons, gaming icons, and fun graphics — these are especially popular with younger clients.
Popular styles:
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Minimal cartoon accents
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Colour-block designs
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Character-inspired colours without being too literal
🐄 Cow print or animal print nail designs
Trendy, bold, and Instagram-loved.
Cow print, zebra, and tortoiseshell are everywhere right now and work beautifully as accent designs.
Popular styles:
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Nude base with animal print accents
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Mix with chrome or gold foil
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Soft brown and black tones
🍓 Food-inspired nail designs
Fun, creative, and unexpected.
Subtle food-themed nails are trending when done in a chic way.
Popular styles:
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Strawberries, cherries, matcha tones
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Coffee-inspired browns
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Minimal illustrations or colour themes
🌙 Astrology / zodiac nail designs
Personal, aesthetic, and shareable.
People LOVE anything personalised. Zodiac nails are subtle but meaningful.
Popular styles:
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Star signs
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Moon and star accents
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Soft cosmic colours
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Gold detailing
🌸 Floral nail design ideas
Timeless, feminine, and beautifully versatile.
Floral nail designs are a classic choice that never goes out of style. Featuring hand-painted flowers, each nail can showcase a completely different bloom, creating a unique and artistic manicure.
✨ Marble effect nail design idea
Elegant, modern, and effortlessly luxurious.
Marble effect nails are a timeless design that blends soft colours and flowing patterns to create a beautifully unique finish. Inspired by natural stone, each nail features delicate swirls and veining, ensuring no two designs are ever the same.
Creating the perfect nail area for your clients
Beautiful nail designs deserve a beautiful space. A well-thought-out nail area:
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Improves client comfort
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Helps technicians work efficiently
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Elevates your salon’s overall look
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Encourages social media photos and reviews
At Pretty Salon, we design nail desks, chairs, and salon furniture with real salons in mind balancing style, storage, and practicality so you can focus on delivering amazing services.
If you’re expanding your nail offering or redesigning your salon, investing in the right furniture can completely transform the client experience.
Final thoughts
Staying on top of nail design trends doesn’t mean constantly chasing every new style it’s about offering a balanced menu of seasonal inspiration and timeless favourites that suit your clients and your brand.
We hope this guide gives you fresh ideas for your nail services and helps inspire your salon’s next update. If you’re ever looking to upgrade your nail stations, seating, or overall salon layout, we’re always here to help 💕
