11 Nail Art for Short Nails: Creative Designs for Petite Tips

Don’t you have enough space to pull off one of those awesome designs you’ve seen on Instagram? We beg to differ. Here are 11 easy ways to bring out your naturally (hum) little nail beds or if you just want to keep your tips neat.

Two-toned Lines

Vertical lines give the illusion of length. Two-toned lines give major style.

Negative Space

Closely cropped tips look especially good with negative space, our favorite nail art trend ever, because it makes the design pop while maintaining visual openness throughout the nail bed.

Nouveau French

Add a hint of color to the tips of a conventional French manicure to make it more stylish. Maintaining fine lines is essential to avoid packing a smaller nail.

Compact Details

To draw attention, add small details, but keep them to the tips of your nails to avoid making them appear cluttered. Use of color combinations that extend the eye, earns bonus points.

Almond Tips

Or try a similar design (and color palette), but with pointed tips, which are especially elongating on shorter nails.

Neon Details

A wonderful summertime twist that’s still upscale can be added by sampling some bright shades using very tiny lines, as opposed to going all-out neon, which might make your nails appear like, well, Day-Glo Chiclets.

Negative Space Lines

Just to refresh your memory, negative space maximizes tiny nail beds and lines are becoming longer. Therefore, combining the two looks results in a stylish and slimming combination.

Cutout Accents

A punchy design like this one might be overkill on all ten fingers, but as an accent nail (or two) it delivers just the right amount of pizzazz.

Small Decals

If you’re limited in time or space, consider making your own miniature nail stickers. Put each decal onto the nail’s base with a pair of tweezers, then cover everything with your glossy topcoat.

Monochromatic Mani

Are you aware of the entire monochromatic fashion trend? The same idea holds true here. Any look—or in this case, your little mani—is made more polished by wearing hues that belong to the same family

Graphic Edges

For the creative set: Graphic shapes lined to the outer edges of your nails will give them a modern upgrade without being too overwhelming on the eyes.