45 simple nail designs for a minimalist chic manicure

Nail art has got increasingly extra over the past year, with maximalist designs, 3D details, multicolour chrome and mix-n-match manis taking off. But simple nail designs will never not look stunning. There's something about keeping it low-key and delicate that always feels relaxed and sophisticated (like quiet luxury, but for nails).

A classic French tip can elevate a bare base in an instant, and it doesn't need to be white. There's plenty of room to personalise with the shade and shape (whether it's slim and dainty or chunky and '90s). A simple dot can add extra interest, as can a dash, stripe or dinky symbol like a heart, flower, evil eye or initial.

Of course, simple doesn't have to be boring. It can create a clear background for the details on top to pop or offer a backdrop to an eye-catching streak of neon or a sparkly accent. Another bonus of simple nail designs? Chances are, you can recreate some of them yourself.

If you need a little inspiration, we've searched the internet to bring you some of our all-time favourite simple nail designs….

Floral tips

Retro floral patterns blooming from the tips – obsessed!

Summerscape

A combo of all your fave summer nail trends in one, this micro summerscape set features fruits, flowers and busy bees buzzing from nail to nail.

Springscape

If you’re still yearning for spring, go for these spring icons – a chick, flower, bee – instead.

Fried eggs

Why not? These mini fried eggs are a fun way of paying homage to the most important meal of the day. Bonus points if you turn the yellow yolks into smiley faces.

Starfish

Perfect for the summer, this starfish set can be done minimal or glammed-up with extra sparkles.

Studs

A minimal-yet-punky upgrade to nude nails, studs can be a fun way to add some oomph to your manicure. Go random with the placements or evoke piercings like Chappell Roan.

Cat-eye Frenchies

Bringing just a touch of razzle-dazzle to your French tips, the cat-eye effect takes a classic style and reinvents it.

Mini Strawbs

Sweet as summer, these cute mini strawbs are the perfect nail style for Centre Court at Wimbledon. Where’s the cream?

Dotty beds

We love this simple dot design at the nail bed in striking electric blue.

Sprinkles

While ice cream and sorbet nails are everywhere this summer, this simple mani takes the best part, sprinkles, for a different take on the trend.

Burgundy French tip

This clean shape and elegant length is beautiful, plus the slim burgundy French tip is a subtle style statement, while still keeping it simple.

Doubled-up Frenchies

Remix a classic Frenchie by doubling up the tip and add a twist with a pastel shade.

Dinky dots

A simple dot can add extra interest to a bare mani.

Chrome flames

How to make a flame low-key? Pair it with a barely-there base and keep the design crisp, clean and simple.

Dainty blooms

These dainty blooms are adorable and they're actually easier to achieve yourself than you'd think with a dotting tool and your coloured polish of choice.

Classic slim Frenchie

You can't beat a Frenchie and this one has been executed perfectly. The secret is spending just as much time on prep (cuticles and shaping) as on the art itself.

Bow details

Bow nails have become one of the top-searched trends this year. This simple rendition can work as an accent on a single nail, or across all of them.

Chunky '90s navy Frenchie

This chunky '90s style navy Frenchie has loads of attitude and style, but still manages not to do “too much”.

Scattered hearts

These white scattered heart are so simple but beautiful.

Black French tips

Swap out a white tip for a black. We love the elongated, pointed shape too for added elegance.

Tips and cuffs

Balance out a French tip by adding a cuff detail at the cuticle, and this deep oxblood red keeps thing interesting and expensive.

Rainbow chrome corners

Simple doesn't mean boring – as these fun rainbow chrome corner nails demonstrate.

Tips and lines

An elegant shape and simple designs (skinny Frenchies and a simple dash detail) pepped up in summer peach.

Simple sparkle

Level-up a barely-there base with a scatter of sparkle. So impactful, and easy to do.

Glazed double Frenchies

This simple nail design manages to pack a lot in because of the elegant almost-bare glazed base and the delicate details on top: a double skinny Frenchie and dinky heart motif.

Wendy house florals

A big bold floral, but on a sheer pink base. It's the perfect balance of simple and cute.

Lemon Frenchie

A flash of neon has never looked so chic.

Ombre neutrals

Want a Frenchie vibe, but not a Frenchie? This takes the colour of a trad French manicure and ombres them out.

Little love

Update cute, short burgundy Frenchies with an extra heart detail.

Frenchies and hearts

Combine two simple details, French tips and heart details into one gorgeous mani.

Reverse Frenchies

Flip the tip for a coloured cuticle.

Squiggles

These squiggles elevate a bare mani.

Chrome Frenchies

Tapping into two major trends: French tips and chrome.

Bow almond nails

Take an elegant almond-shaped mani, then wrap it up with a pretty bow detail.

Pastel tips

Just a hint of colour on each tip is a lovely summery take on a classic French mani, simple but elegant.

Monochrome moment

These doubled-up Frenchie tips make an impact but feel sophisticated.

Evil eye detail

A little talisman of protection safely dotted on your fingernail.

Swoosh

Want a pop of neon? This aero green swoosh is the way to do it.

Delicate hearts

Simple but eye-catching, these sweet hearts are guaranteed to amp up your simple summer nails.

All That Glitters

You can never go wrong with a bit of sparkle, especially with this princess pink that manages to feel grown-up and not too Disney.

Rainbow French tips

Take a delicate Frenchie then make it fun with a different colour on each tip.

Tuxedo nails

These tuxedo nails are so simple to create but so show-stopping on nails.

Something blue

This powder blue tip is a gorgeous way to introduce the pastel shade into your mani.

Skinny black tips

This ultra slim Frenchie looks beautifully delicate, but the black shade toughens it up.

Freshly-Picked

If only these cute blueberry painted nails counted towards your five-a-day.

Shimmer tips

The shimmery tips on these nails are a lovely way to add some maximum impact to a French mani.

Daisy Chain

Who needs fresh flowers when you have these adorable blooms adorned on your nails?

For more from GLAMOUR's Senior Beauty Editor, Elle Turner, follow her on Instagram @elleturneruk

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