Choosing a nail design can be difficult with so many options! If you’re overwhelmed trying to decide on what design to use, try a season-inspired design – winter nails, since it’s cold outside.
Moving from fall to winter takes on a cooler color palette and gets you perfectly snuggle ready. It’s a magical time of year, and it deserves to be recognized! Even narrowing your design options down to winter nail art will leave you with so many options, though. This list has some of the best designs to make sure that you can confidently rock cute winter nails that you love.
These 71 winter nail designs can be used in so many different ways to inspire you.
- Take one of the winter nail designs to your tech, and ask them to recreate it.
- Combine a few winter nail ideas to make a one-of-a-kind design for you.
- Use different winter nail art on each finger!
1. Cute Winter Foliage
It’s the era of the plant baby, and there’s no better way to pay homage to them than by featuring them in your winter nail designs. Use muted greens, burnt oranges, and cool-toned greys to invoke the season’s colors. For a good muted winter nail look, outline the designs in white and leave the base of the nail bare with a matte topcoat.
2. Abstract Winter Nails
These nails are the perfect conversation starter for all of the gatherings you’ll be attending during the winter. Abstract art designs make for seriously cute winter nail designs. The white base makes your nails a canvas, while the abstract art gives your nails a sophisticated look.
3. Neutrals and Blank Space
Neutral colors rule the winter nail design scene. Use geometric shapes to carve out bits of blank space to achieve these cute winter nails. The neutral colors will ensure that your winter nail designs match all of your colorful, festive winter outfits.
4. Glitter Half Moon
Winter nail art shines bright with a pop of glitter over a minimal design. Coat your nails with a cool-toned base color, and add a glittering half-moon at the cuticle for a low-key winter nail design.
5. Owl Winter Nails
Harsh winters can leave us dreaming of spring, so a cute winter nail art can remind us of warmer months. This cute illustrated cool-blue owl looks great as an accent on winter nails with a neutral pink base coat.
6. Mistletoe Nails
Nothing says “kiss me” like these cute winter nails with a mistletoe accent. Let the festive foliage be the star of the show by keeping the rest of your nails nude. This is the perfect winter nail idea if you’re in the holiday spirit.
7. Winter Florals
Florals are for spring nails, right? Yes! But they also make for cute winter nail designs, too! Use a cool winter blue for the base, then create dark stems with the petals falling off. This is such a unique winter nail idea!
8. Cartoon Art
These cartoon art winter nails are so cute! Based on a cool blue nail, each fingertip has a cute hand-drawn cartoon design. This winter nail design idea shows that winter nails don’t have to be right on the nose to be perfect for you.
9. Zebra Accent Nails
These zebra winter nails are so cute. Try one hand with a cool winter olive green and one with a soft pink for this winter nail design. Finish it off with a zebra nail sticker accent on a couple of nails.
10. Animal Winter Nail Design
This winter nail design idea is perfect no matter what age you are. Each nail is decked out in cute animals wearing winter gear with snowflake accents. Let the illustrations in this cute winter nail art shine by coating the base of your nail with a nude nail polish.
11. Line-Drawing Winter Nails
Keep your winter nail designs simple with line drawings of reindeers and stockings. With a bare nail as the base, this winter nail art is super minimalist while still looking creative. Fill in some of the line art with washes of red for a festive pop on your winter nails!
12. Charlie Brown Nails
Charlie Brown Christmas screams winter festivities, making it the perfect inspo for your winter nail art! Feature a few of the characters over a nude polish on some of your nails, then throw an accent nail in there. The green and red gift wrap is so cute for winter nails!
13. Stone-Inspired Winter Nails
Winter nail designs vary wildly – this design showcases that. Take inspiration from anything that screams winter for you. This winter nail art is inspired by gemstones with iridescent flakes and jagged design.
14. Doodle Winter Nails
This winter nail art takes a different artistic approach with simple doodles on nude nails. Add variation by blobbing pops of color on a couple of the nails. These winter nails are perfect for the daydreamer!
15. Reindeer Nails
If you’re feeling festive and prefer a simple yet fun nail look, this reindeer winter nail art is for you! Pair soft pink glossy nails with an accented thumb on each hand of a reindeer sitting right on top of your cuticle.
16. Plant-Lover Nails
Pay homage to your favorite plants by incorporating them into your winter nail designs. The best part about this nail design is what’s under the drawings, though! Use a nude base, then brush on green and white in a jagged pattern to get an ombre acrylic brushstroke look on your winter nails.
17. Tropical Paradise Nails
Think warm tropical thoughts with this winter nail art! Base your nails with an avocado green and draw on your favorite tropical fruits. This winter nail idea is definitely for my summer lovers!
18. Creative Artsy Nails
This winter nail design idea is for all of our creative, artsy folks. Treat each nail like a separate canvas that is based on nude nail polish. Winter is all about magic, and your winter nail art should reflect your artistic magic!
19. Brushstroke Winter Nails
Create colorful brushstrokes on your nails for this winter nail design. Experiment with the patchiness of each brushstroke and add patches of white nail polish here and there for a glossy effect.
20. Palm Trees and Cacti
This one is for all of my desert-dwellers out there! Winter in the desert looks a lot like this, so don’t be afraid to let your winter nail designs show what’s true to you. Draw on palm tree leaves shading cacti on matte nails to get this look!
21. Stargazing Winter Nails
Feature the Little Prince and animals you love in your winter nail designs. This design shows a the prince stargazing in the snow on one nail and a fox stargazing on another. Winter nail art that preserves memories is so cute!
22. Contrasting Vibes
Do you have trouble deciding what vibe you want? These cute winter nails are saying that you don’t have to choose! Choose an edgy textured pattern for one hand and do lighthearted animal cartoons on the other. Your winter nail art. Your choice!
23. Geometric Birds
If geometric linework is your style, try incorporating them into your winter nails! This cute bird in a beanie interpreted in style is so cute, and the pops of color bring it to life. It’s perfect for anyone who wants a unique way to fuse all of your tastes in your winter nail art.
24. Minimal New Year Nail Art
New Year celebrations are flashy enough. Minimal New Year-inspired designs are the perfect winter nail designs! Use muted colors and create your own simplistic fireworks to ring in the new year with super cute winter nail art.
25. Hand-Painted Art Winter Nails
Is one of your New Year resolutions to make more art? Well, this cute winter nail art is the perfect place to do it. Paint on art that looks hand-painted on canvas to let your talent shine.
26. Pink and White Delicate Winter Nails
Winter may be cold and frosty, but your winter nail designs don’t have to be! Show off your delicate design by pairing snow white nails with soft pink nails with delicate white linework. You’ll have the cutest winter nails and show off your feminine side at the same time.
27. Classic Festive Winter Nails
Traditions are part of what makes Christmas so fun! This winter nail design is perfect for paying homage to traditional Christmas themes. Alternate red and green nails, decorate one like a gift, and deck one out with a snowflake decal!
28. Polar Bears and White Space Winter Nails
Navy blue and white are perfect for bringing cute winter nail designs to life! Combine those colors with the original Christmas animal – polar bears – and you’ve got a solid winter nail idea. Experiment with white space on nails that have more intricate designs.
29. Dot and Line Winter Nails
Winter nail art that pushes boundaries is perfect if you’re feeling edgy or even indecisive about what to do. Choose some winter nail colors like red and white, pair them with accent colors like black and gray, and use them to create dots and lines in unique patterns on each nail. Voila! The perfect winter nail idea!
30. Shark Nails
There’s one thing that we know for sure about winter nail art – it doesn’t have to be on the nose. And the magic of Christmas is all about finding your joy. If your joy is this bold turquoise shark-inspired design, then this is the winter nail design inspiration for you!
31. Minimalist Florals
These floral designs are perfect for winter nails! If you’re obsessed with plants, try illustrating some of your favorite plant leaves in black on matte nails. Secure the winter nail look by dotting on cool-toned shades of winter colors to change things up!
32. Christmas Ornament Nails
If you’ve got a major Christmas obsession, then these may be the perfect winter nails. Mix and match sparkly, intricate ornaments with shiny red ornaments. Add dots of white to the cuticle area to add an extra layer of decoration to your winter nails.
33. Pig in a Blanket Winter Nails
Animal lovers, say hey! This textured winter nail design inspiration features a cartoon pig snug in a beanie and scarf. Create texture on the beanie and scarf detailing and an accent nail on the other hand, and surround them with glossy nails.
34. Matte Santa Winter Nail Art
Hail old Kris Kringle with this cute winter nail art! Keep your mani simple by incorporating simple elements like this Santa hat decal or a shooting star.
35. Speckled Snoopy Nails
If you’re a fan of Charlie Brown Christmas, then you will love this winter nail idea! Start with a neutral speckled base coat. The texture will give your nails more dimension. Then pick a couple of nails for Snoopy to live on. Sprinkle in mistletoe and wreaths for more cute winter nail goodness!
36. Gold Flecked Winter Nails
This winter nail art inspiration is for the glamour chasers! To get this cute winter nail look, use gold foil to add texture to your bare nails. Keep it jagged to preserve the look of the texture!
37. Glitter Ombre and Orange Winter Nails
Glitter is a one-stop-shop for all things magical, winter, and fabulous. This is the perfect winter nail design if you’re into the sparkle, but still want your manicure to be wearable. Get the look by adding glitter to a neutral-colored nail heavier at the tips and less at the cuticle for an ombre effect. Paint the rest of the nails a matte color for cute winter nails!
38. Cool Blue and Foliage Winter Nails
Cool winter blue and the deep green of plants come together to form the perfect color palette for cute winter nail designs. The black-outlined plants add contrast to make the design more dynamic. Throw in silver foil for texture, and you’ve got the perfect winter manicure!
39. Silver and White Christmas Tree Winter Nails
If you’re dreaming of a white Christmas, then you will love this winter nail design. Combine white and grey nails with this sparkly Christmas tree accent nail and a silver glitter nail!
40. Goth Reindeer Nails
Find Rudolph’s goth side with this dark winter nail art. The sparkly reindeer head on the white nail shows the dark side of Christmas. Mix up the nail colors between white and a sparkly black for chic winter nails!
41. Black Florals and Lines
If you love to rock black nails to match the cooler weather, spice up your winter nails with this floral manicure. Leave a few nails bare, but sketch flower nail designs and leaves onto the nail. Add black lines to give a grid feel and add layers!
42. Whimsical Heart Winter Nails
If you’ve got a whimsical heart, then why not show it on your winter nails? A soft white neutral manicure is the perfect base for cute winter nails. Use silver foil on a couple of nails and top with a wispy black nest and heart to show how much you love the winter!
43. Nude Nail Sketch Winter Nails
For all of the artists out there, it’s time to get experimental with showing your art on your winter nails! Mix star nail designs, faces, plants, and more. There’s no limit to how creative you can get with this winter nail design!
44. Bunny Winter Nails
A plain white manicure is classic and cute, but there is so much room for sprucing! Add a touch of glamour by accenting a nail with ombre glitter. Add a bunny decal for a cute touch, and you’ve got a cute winter nail design!
45. Paint Splatter Winter Nails
White manicures are so fun to remix. Get edgy with black paint splatters with some nails fully matte black. You can incorporate words and shapes to create layers and styles for your winter nail design.
46. Cute Animal Winter Nails
A simple ombre manicure is so cute during the winter, but have you tried adding animal decals in the mix? You should. They make the best winter nail design art.
47. Messy French Manicure
French manicures are known for their classic touch, but try it messy! No clean edges on this winter nail art, just touches of color. Layer colors on top of each other to create abstract winter nail art at the tip of your fingers!
48. Falling Leaves Winter Nails
Think of days when the grass is alive and green with this manicure mixing mattes and glossy nails and off-white with falling leave accents! If you love the outdoors, then use this winter nail art as inspiration!
49. Pastel Color-Block Winter Nails
Love color blocking? Well, give it a pastel twist with cool blue and light beige for these winter nails. Throw in some black line art of plants and trees for contrast (they look like shadows), and you’ll have the perfect winter manicure.
50. Glitter Cuticle Winter Nail Art
If you’re a glitter fan, then glitter cuticles are calling out to you! Take any winter nail design to the next level by popping some chunky glitter in your cuticle area. Don’t forget the animal decals.
51. Jewel-Tone Nails
Break out the rich jewel tones for winter nails that no one will be able to take their eyes off of. An abstract geometric Christmas tree made out of each shade makes the perfect accent nail, and you can’t forget a glitter accent!
52. Snowflakes and Reindeer
Snowflakes and reindeer are arguably the only winter nail art you need to accent your manicure. Make them iridescent decals, and you have the most eye-catching winter nails on the block!
53. Snowman Manicure
Nude winter nails are a low-key statement piece! These snowmen just peek up over the tips of your fingernails to remind you that it’s winter. If you love a white Christmas, then you are destined for these winter nails.
54. Starry Winter Nails
Have you ever caught yourself staring at that shining star tree topper? Take that feeling you get when you stare at it with you when you put shiny star decals on your nails. Add white dots to resemble a snowy night on these winter nails!
55. Unicorn Swirl Nails
Unicorn lovers! Sweeten your white manicure with textured unicorn-inspired swirls. Top your nails with chunky iridescent glitter to capture the unicorn magic in your winter nail art.
56. Pink, Grey, and White Winter Nails
These cool-toned pink, grey, and white winter nails are delightfully feminine. Deck them out with rhinestones at the cuticles, textured patterns, black line designs, and glitter.
57. Cozy Animal Winter Nails
What’s better than winter animals on your manicure? Winter animals in winter wear! These animals in scarves and beanies make the perfect winter nail art.
58. Picasso Winter Nail Art
Calling all art lovers! This Picasso-inspired winter nail art is perfectly nestled between a soft blue manicure. The art and the soft winter nail color offer contrast and variation!
59. Partridge in a Pear Tree Nails
If the Twelve Days of Christmas is one of your favorite Christmas jingles, then a partridge in a pear tree is the only thing you need to perfect your winter nail art. Base your nails with sparkly turquoise nail polish, and give them dimension with 3D elements!
60. Snowy Landscape Winter Nails
The snowy, winter landscape is gorgeous and bright and deserving of a place on your nails! Use red gems to make the decorated Christmas tree pop, and layer polishes lightly to get a watercolor effect on your winter nail art!
61. Festive Red Nails
Red nail polish screams festive, so it’s a perfect place for winter nail art. Make them extra festive by adding a cartoon penguin! This winter nail art is simple, but gives the manicure something special.
62. Minimal Line Art
Sometimes your best bet for winter nail art is to go as minimal as possible. Drip the black nail polish over your bare nails in a webbed pattern on a few nails. In contrast, do strict linework on another. These winter nails are edgy and stylish!
63. Snow Storm Winter Nails
Capture winter landscape with these detailed winter nail art designs! A clock, a pig, and a train are all covered in snow and framed with a black nail base for contrast.
64. Simple Owl Winter Nails
Owl lovers, pay attention. This owl in winter wear is so cute and looks great on nails. The pine trees in the snow really invoke the Christmas spirit in this winter nail art, too!
65. Dreamcatcher Nails
What’s dreamier than a dreamcatcher? Nothing, really. Get these winter nails by making thin and detailed drawings. Accent a couple of nails with glitter to add a festive pop!
66. Whimsical Winter Nails
If you’re a more whimsical person, then you’ll love this winter nail art! Get this by drawing or stenciling on dragonflies, leaves, feathers, and such. Leave some nails blank to see the soft matte white nail base!
67. Grey and White Winter Nails
This winter nail design is simple, yet complex! The base coat is a neutral gray, but the intricate linework is what brings it out. Get super exact and ultra-thin when you do this winter nail art linework!
68. Bright Red and Silver Winter Nails
These nails are for those that want to make a bold statement! The glitter pops against the red surface, adding to the attention that the red brings to the winter nail art. Drawing cute animals is encouraged!
69. Cotton Candy Shine Winter Nails
These cute winter nails remind us of cotton candy skies! The winter nail art also comes with an iridescent top coating that makes it shimmer and shine.
70. Black Magic Winter Nails
Remix a matte black manicure by bringing the magic of the winter to your nails! On the bare nails, use stars and plants to create patterns on the nail. This winter nail art looks so chic.
71. Simple Santa Winter Nails
Do you love soft white winter nail designs? Get one! Add simple Santa and snowman decals with snowflakes to make the winter nails pop.
Photos via Instagram
