20 Nail Designs for 2022 You’ll Want to Try Immediately

While the general vibe of next year still feels uncertain, at least we’re sure of the best nail designs of 2022, and they’re good. While you could certainly spend your extra time indoors this winter searching for them, we took it upon ourselves to do it for you and gathered up every single save-worthy nail trend to cross our feeds in the past few months.

From plenty of twists on the French manicure to DIY-able rainbow nails and velvet nails, there’s something for every vibe, mood, and all different nail shapes here. Whether you plan on hitting up your local salon or go the DIY route (be sure to brush up on how to paint your nails at home, first), scroll on for the best nail designs of 2022.

Here are some examples of nail art designs that can be a reference for you

Pastel Swirls

Just looking at this metallic, pastel, ombré situation makes you feel calmer. The best part is they're actually nails warp, so it's super easy to get the same look at home.

Black and White Flowers

White and black nail designs are so graphic and cool, especially when paired with something traditionally feminine like flowers.

Soft Skittles

The Skittles mani, a.k.a. rainbow nails with a different shade on each nail, was one of the biggest trends of the past two years. Update it for 2022 with a faded color palette.

Graphic Edge

Negative space will never not be the coolest way to do nail art, and we're particularly into this graphic black and gold take on the trend.

Smiley-Face Nails

It seems the internet is seeking out joy wherever possible, because smiley-face nail design ideas are everywhere we look. They've been spotted on everyone from Dua Lipa to Harry Styles—and just about every nail blogger on Insta.

Rainbow Smileys

See what we mean? But here you get two trends in one.

Foil French

What do you get when you combine some of the coolest nail looks this year? This insane green foil French situation.

Bright Stripes

How do you take rainbow nails up a notch? Add even more color, of course.

Pink Ombré

Can't decide on a single shade? Put your polish collection to work by using a different tone of one color on each nail (or just mix your base shade with varying levels of white for the same effect).

Cow Print

Make a celebrity fave even cooler with a peachy background instead of white.

Pastel Tips

Look at that, yet another variation on French tips. A rainbow of pastel shades makes the style feel modern and retro at the same time.

Espresso Swirls

Channel your inner ’70s babe with earth-tone swirls.

Graphic Sparkle

Even the most glitter-adverse people can find some joy in this “sparkle” art.

Negative-Space Hearts

Poppy red and negative space make hearts cool, not cutesy. To DIY, just paint over a heart-shaped sticker, let dry, and peel it off. (Be sure to check out our Valentine's Day nails for more heart nail ideas).

Mix-and-Match Stripes

Half-and-half stripes add even more punch to a rainbow-bright manicure.

Oreo Squiggles

So cute, no?

Blingy Blooms

Make a classic daisy even cuter by adding some gemstones in the center. If you have longer nails, add even more sparkle by adding a sprinkle of stones in any blank spaces.

Baby French

Ramp up a French manicure with two shades of pink. The thin lines look so cute on shorter nails, but thicker tips would make for a cute acrylic nail design.

Shiny Stars

Forgo nail polish entirely and cover your nails in pretty stickers for a high-impact, low-effort mani.

Negative French

Put a fresh spin on a classic by creating a French tip out of negative space.