25 Short Nail Ideas for Spring With Fresh, Airy Energy

short french manicure with pastel line designs — @amyle.nails / instagram

New nail trends are constantly emerging, but one thing that's certain is that short nails are bound to have a major moment this spring. While there will always be a widespread affinity for lengthy manis, we're seeing so many celebrities and influencers opt for shorter-manicured nails more and more. And though short nails may seem less exciting, the looks that have come across our feed prove that's far from the case. There are so many ways to play around with shorter lengths and create an unforgettable, statement-making look. Need some inspo? We've rounded up 25 nail ideas that will convince you to go short this spring.

01 of 25

Bold Bubblegum

bubblegum pink nails — @lolo.nailedit / instagram

Bubblegum pink polish feels very on-trend for spring.

02 of 25

Watercolor Florals

pink watercolor manicure — @soulinailsxo / instagram

If The Devil Wears Prada taught us anything, it's that florals for spring aren't groundbreaking. However, they will forever be a classic nail design. Adding a few watercolor-esque flowers to your pink marble manicure will instantly take it to the next level.

03 of 25

Pretty Patches

short nails with multicolor patch design — @amyle.nails / instagram

The nail artist behind this look described this manicure as "patches of happiness"—and honestly, there's no better description than that. This nail look features multicolor abstract shapes and designs, giving it a truly one-of-a-kind vibe.

04 of 25

Golden Lilly

nude nails with pink and white lily designs — @chalkboardnails / instagram

This isn't your average floral manicure. This iteration has an incredibly elegant, elevated vibe. Enhance your nude base by painting on intricate pink and white lilies. Add dashes of gold to each flower as a finishing touch.

05 of 25

Essence of Spring

pink and blue floral nails — @soulinailsxo / instagram

If we could package the essence of spring into a manicure, it'd be this one. The bold pink and blue nail polishes complement each other perfectly, and the detailed flower nail art is such a beautiful addition to the mani.

06 of 25

Colorful Croc

Croc print is an endlessly versatile nail design—you can customize it with so many fun color pairings. This multicolor croc mani feels right on time for spring, featuring vibrant pastel and neon shades.

07 of 25

Pastel French

Short nails provide ample space for a French mani. This pastel take on the traditional nail look is fitting for the season. Applying a different shade to each French tip makes the manicure feel even more fresh and playful.

08 of 25

Orange Bloom

orange nails — @brownluxenails / instagram

'Tis the season to wear tons of vibrant nail colors—and this manicure is one way to do just that. Featuring pink, purple, and orange nail polish, this nail look is absolutely eye-catching.

09 of 25

Pastel French

Traditional French manicures are classic and timeless, but adding color makes the nail look really feel of the moment. Enhance your square French tips by adding pastel, wavy lines to each nail.

10 of 25

Creamy Yellow Florals

creamy yellow floral nails — @sierrasnails_ / instagram

Creamy, light yellow nail polish feels synonymous with springtime. Add pastel daisies to the mix, and you have a dreamy seasonal manicure.

11 of 25

Minimal Moment

clear nails with white designs — @chalkboardnails / instagram

For those who want to steer clear of color, opt for this pared-back manicure. Apply a sheer pink polish as your base, and add a few hand-painted designs (like stars, hearts, or dots) on top for some pizzazz.

12 of 25

Seeing Green

emerald green short nails — @betina_goldstein / instagram

Green is an underrated nail color, and this manicure is making a strong case as to why we should wear it more often. Swipe on a few coats of your favorite emerald nail polish to get this look.

13 of 25

Mismatched and Subtle

Mismatched manicures are one of the most unique nail trends we've seen in recent months. This take offers colorful stripes on one hand and subtle black dots on the other—the distinct design choices definitely balance each other.

14 of 25

Little Lines

short manicure with colorful cuticles and tips — @imarninails / instagram

This manicure incorporates color in the coolest way. Each nail features a different swipe of color at the cuticle and the tip, resulting in a far-from-boring mani.

15 of 25

Glazed Donut

If you're leaning into simple, shimmery manicures this season, this one is for you. Applying chrome powder on top of nude nail polish will allow you to recreate this vanilla chrome nail look.

16 of 25

Pastel Skittles

pastel multicolor short nails — @imarninails / instagram

Make a "skittle manicure" feel aligned with spring by opting for pretty pastel tones. To get this look, make sure you have a seafoam green, baby blue, and peach nail polish on hand.

17 of 25

Rainbow French

Rainbow French tips make for a gorgeous springtime mani. You'll want to apply two colors to each nail tip to create a contrasting, ombré effect.

18 of 25

Groovy Spring

multicolor short nails with white flower designs — @tinybrushes / instagram

Want a groovy springtime mani? Look no further. Combining cool colors and adorable flower nail art, this look has such a cool retro feel.

19 of 25

Rainbow Ombré

rainbow ombre short nails — @amyle.nails / instagram

There's no better way to celebrate the season change than with a shimmery ombré manicure. Throw all the colors of the rainbow into this look—and don't forget to apply a glittery top coat.

20 of 25

Forest Green French

How do you make a French manicure feel seasonal? Opt for green tips. This forest-green French manicure is simple yet stunning. Beyond the precise, baby French tips, we also love that this nail look features a matte base coat.

21 of 25

Handpainted Flowers

handpainted floral short nails — @tinybrushes / instagram

It's all about the little details—and this manicure features so many intricate elements. All of the flowers are handpainted in different colors, giving this nail look a completely unique feel.

22 of 25

Spring in Full Bloom

mismatched bold floral short nails — @nuka.nails / instagram

If this manicure had to be given a name, we'd call it "spring in full bloom." From the bright nail colors to the beautiful floral nail art, this nail look reminds us how beautiful spring is.

23 of 25

Spring Gradient

pink, red, and orange short nails — @betina_goldstein / instagram

This manicure may be without nail art, but it's still an attention grabber. You'll need to snag bright orange, pink and red shades to alternate.

24 of 25

Red and Pink Moment

red, pink, and white short nails — @nailsbycanishiea / instagram

Red and pink will always be a stunning color combination. Case in point: This red and pink swirly manicure. From the vibrant nail colors to the pearl accents, there's so much to love about this look.

25 of 25

Bursting Florals

vibrant floral short nails — @tinybrushes / instagram

If we've learned anything from spring-ready manicures, it's that there are countless ways to incorporate flowers into the look. With this look, we're obsessed with the bursting floral designs on each nail.