100 Photos of DIY Manicures to Try At Home

Do you want a fresh look for your nails? DIY manicures are all the rage today and have been taken to whole new level thanks to the pandemic. People are styling their claws in ways they once would never have imagined! You might be looking for some DIY manicures for inspiration and you have come to the right place!

We have been watching social media to discover the hottest manicure trends and exciting new ways to really spice up those nails. We have pulled some of the most innovative nail art designs to share with you so that the next time you’re ready to paint, you’ve got some excellent ideas for how to get the perfect look! Check them out, DIY mama!

Get Inspired by These Amazing Photos of DIY Manicures!

Flower Power

How sweet are these pink and white DIY manicures? We love that the middle fingers are different from the rest, they really stand out!

Desert-Themed

How do you feel about these desert-themed DIY manicures? We think they look so refreshing and fun. We’re not sure our hands are steady enough to do the same, but we’d still try to paint a little cactus or two!

Feeling Groovy

These flower-child-inspired nails are just breathtaking. Lean into your pastel fantasy and you could end up with something similar.

Waves for Days

You can handle painting some waves like this, right? We think most people can pull off these DIY manicures if they don’t put too much pressure on themselves.

Saved by the Bell

Want to paint your nails to look like they belong in the title sequence of Saved by the Bell? This look is so delightfully retro and brings back so many memories!

Breaking Waves

How dreamy are these wave tips? By using three colors that are similar, you too can achieve these awesome DIY manicures.

Make Them Sparkle

When all else fails for your DIY manicures, just make them sparkle! Glitter, sparkle polish, whatever you got that shimmers will give you the gold.

Creamy & Dreamy

These DIY manicures look like a creamsicle. Like, they actually look delicious and should probably be classified as a dessert.

Lemon-Lime

These nails have a lot of green on them that ranges from neon yellow to forest green. We’re certain something similar with another color would be equally appealing for other DIY manicures. Just imagine purple and pink!

Express Yourself

The thing we would all be wise to remember when it comes to DIY manicures would be to let loose and just have fun with it. There’s not much rhyme or reason here but these nails look like a blast!

Pastels & Polka Dots

If you’re craving some dots on your DIY manicures, really lean in and go for it. Look at how hypnotic these turned out!

Don’t Fear the Color

This is art, right? We love the multicolored nails on these DIY manicures. They look as if they’ve been inspired by wallpaper or other decorative arts. Brilliant!

Make Us Blush

The neutrals look positively divine. We go from warm at the pinky to cool at the thumb. We are really into this creamy, pastel look!

Go Wild!

For those unoffended by a green and pink color combination, you could have fun DIY manicures like this. They look as if they’re made of aged glass.

Just a Little Wild

You don’t have to go totally wild and commit yourself to an entire day of painting! Oh, no! Sometimes you just want a quick solution. This lovely sage green looks lovely on its own, but you can add interest by painting a black detail on just one finger. Looks solid to us!

One of a Kind

Why plot and scheme for an overall look when you can just do something completely different for every nail? We’re sure these DIY manicures will not appeal to everyone but we hope they do inspire you to have fun and experiment with your styles.

Tipsy

Having fun with your tips seems like a winning idea. These look so fresh and fun and not too over-the-top!

Chocolate Mocha

Don’t these wavy lines look like swirls of chocolate? Brown works out well in this application and we’d like to see much more of it in the wild and for your DIY manicures.

Electric Leopard

Leopard print is a hot look right now for many manicures. As you can see, it looks excellent when paired with these neon green color.

Moody Sparkles

These lovely ombre nails are improved with a lovely rainbow sparkle which really looks spectacular on top of the muted base. We think this would also look excellent with a black to grey ombre.

Clean

If you’re a person who believes that simplicity is bliss, a simple yet well-executed monochromatic look will do wonders. As you can see, no bells and whistles on these nails just a nice coat.

Get Marbled

These rainbow marbled DIY manicures look fantastic with just enough whimsy to keep things interesting without being too much. Why marble with just one color when you can really shine like this?

Skittles

The person who shared this image shared that Skittles candy inspired the color choices. Don’t they look sweet?

Roses & Stardust

There’s nothing wrong with turning that femme energy all the way to the max! As you can see here, these lovely pinks look smart next to some sparkle. If you’re looking for DIY manicures that will make your hands look pretty as a princess’s, this is the ticket!

Plantitas

Are you absolutely obsessed with your plants? You can take them with you with DIY manicures like this one. Black polka dots and plenty of green make this look unforgettable.

Silver Flakes

Silver has been applied to these nails in a similar fashion to gold leaf. Don’t you love the way it sparkles on top of these clear nails?

More Metallic

We’ve got some metallic swirls on these nails that look like molten gold. If you’d like a warmer look, go with gold and you won’t regret it.

Bubblegum

These funfetti nails are everything! As you can see this person has gone just about full sparkle but spared some pink base for an extra pop of solid color. What a dream!

22.

These DIY manicures are so special we’re almost speechless. With slight differences in color, each layer adds depth and detail. The addition of the white swoops also looks very artful and inspired.

Red Hot

These nails look absolutely arresting. In red and yellow with some added sparkle, you two can have a mani that looks like a stoplight.

Clueless?

Well, plaid looks even better on nails than we would have ever guessed. The contrasting yellow and black offers so much pop while not being too overpowering. We’re very much into this fun look.

More Plaid

What’s better than plaid? Plaid placed on a diagonal. We get a real pop with the addition of the blood-red nails here.

Orange & Red

The oranges and reds chosen for these DIY manicures are so similar it’s almost impossible to tell them apart. If you’d like a surprising look that not many folks are doing, consider doing something similar for added visual interest.

Go Wild!

Who needs matchy-matchy manicures? Not this person! We find different patterns on almost every nail which is a little chaotic but also very carefree and fun.

Tuxedo

How good do black and gold look together? We find the two colors paired at the tip with the addition of some sparkle to bring it to life.

There’s No Such Thing as Too Much Sparkle

We’re into the blue shimmer on the nails but the real star of the show is the silver one with the cool diamond pattern on it. We could do with a whole hand of that but we respect this person’s artistic choices.

A Touch of Green

While this looks great with the pale green we imagine any other colors would look equally as satisfying. We like the black splatter detail but we wonder if doing something similar to all the nails would not also work? Either way, we think it’s a fun look to try.

Candy Confetti

We find tiny rainbow dots on these white nails. It proves a refreshing, youthful, and energetic look.

Get Into the Grid

Here’s one of the most original DIY manicures on the list! We find grids painted in two separate colors here on the majority of the nails. But, they become married together on the ring finger with an organic design that really contrasts with the straight lines on the other nails.

Pale Pink

Some things are classic for a reason. These blush-pink nails look stunning and understated which is perfect if you’re after a chill look.

Double Up

Make those tips extra special with parallel bands like these. The mellow colors chosen for these DIY manicures is also a very nice touch!

Black Flames

Are we feeling a bit moody? Show your flair for the dramatic with these black flames DIY manicures. The rainbow sparkle looks so dynamic next to the pitch-black polish.

Soak Up the Sun

Florals are always a good idea! Nothing screams summer like sunflowers and these cute nails really show them off well!

Galactic

Let the cosmos be an inspiration for your DIY manicures. We find a slightly patterned look here that consists of an ombre effect with one nail that features a checkerboard!

Lava Lamp

This is serving lava lamp realness, right? Pick some of your favorite pastels and get to work and you won’t be disappointed in your retro DIY manicures that feel oh, so fresh!

Beauty of Botanicals

Pair some sparkle with some blossoms and don’t look back. These fresh and femme nails look so delightfully natural.

Periwinkle

How splendid do periwinkle and gold look together? We find the color combination irresistible on these DIY manicures. You’d be wise to do the same!

Goth, But Cute

Get in touch with your inner child with little nail decals like these. A lovely sparkling, black base makes the little shapes truly pop!

Look Closely

Grey proves one of the best neutrals for understated DIY manicures as it looks excellent paired with just about every color. We find pastel pink and green looking sharp here next to some lovely opal nails. How classy!

The Galaxy Is Calling

We find a lot of DIY manicures inspired by space these days and we could not be more thrilled about that! These blue galaxy nails are truly worth marveling at.

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Marbled Gold

Marble is one of the most beautiful materials on this earth and these DIY manicures imagine it with gold veins shooting through it. Black and gold is a classic color combination for a reason!

Freehand

We share this image with you to remind you to have fun! Most of us doing DIY manicures are not going to have salon-approved results and that is totally fine! Paint some things that are meaningful to you on your nails and expect compliments.

Warm It Up

A pinkish nude paired with a juicy berry color looks mighty nice! With the addition of some sparkle, these nails look completely polished and ready for a night out.

Rainbow Leopard

As we mentioned, leopard print is huge for DIY manicures today. If you’d like to choose the perfect colors for your own, take a look at these nails. Each one offers you a different color scheme that looks ready to party!

Tiny Flowers

We find some solids with a shimmer with a couple of nails that are topped with glitter and little flowers. This is a really balanced look that feels totally put together.

Asymmetrical French Tips

The person who shared this image said that they finished these DIY manicures in just 15 minutes. An asymmetrical French tip looks contemporary and new compared to the traditional scheme. For a quick mani, we think this is a winner!

Chameleon

These DIY manicures remind us of the chameleon paint that’s popular for sports cars. See how they reflect different colors? If you love metallics, consider doing the same!

Kissed by Fire

We find a lovely almond shade paired with two vibrant orange colors that really heat things up. Pairing neutrals with bold colors helps strike balance and create drama.

Wallpaper

The person who shared this image described being inspired by wallpaper. There are stranger things! We love the coral-shaped designs done in gold that look so decadent on the red base.

Kaleidoscope

These shimmery, geometric nails look so absolutely fabulous. The person who shared this photo explained that they had extra strips and decided to put them to good use. We think this is a win!

Do You

These nails are bejeweled to an incredible degree! If you’re not afraid of a little dazzle, really go for it and express yourself!

Sweet & Sour

How fun are these citrus-inspired DIY manicures? These fruity nails are the perfect send-off to summer! More fruit manicures, please.

Poppies

Poppies and polka dots are a winning combination in these DIY manicures. The black and white base colors look so graphic and appealing.

Witchy Good

We don’t really know what is going on here but we were attracted to the black and burgundy color combination. It appears there are random objects seemingly floating in the black nails which keeps things interesting!

Playful Pups

If you love your dog, tell the world with DIY manicures. How fun are these sweet, little paw prints? While the hot pink is a blast, we’re sure you could get an equally endearing look with another base color.

Simple Shimmer

We find some shimmering goodness in these understated yet attractive DIY manicures. If you’re not after any fuss, something similar will be perfect for you!

Magic

We haven’t the slightest idea how that chrysanthemum nail was accomplished but we’re very much into it! Even without, these pink nails with glitter sure do delight.

Nude Mood

It’s amazing how elegant simple, nude DIY manicures can be! This person has found the perfect color to match their skin tone. Would you do the same?

Seeing Stars

Galaxy DIY manicures are certainly having a moment as we felt the need to share yet another one of these examples with you. See how each nail is a different take on the brief? Pick just one or mix it up like this and you’ll be seeing stars!

Mix & Match

Alternating between pink and random designs, we find these nails that buck convention but still remain balanced. A little sparkle never hurt anyone, right?

Spin Art

Do you remember doing spin art as a child? That middle finger has a design on it that is so evocative of it. By painting each nail a different color and then combining them on one, you can have really cohesive DIY manicures like this one.

Fade Into You

Notice the ever-so-subtle ombre across these nails? The colors here remind us of tropical flowers that are bursting with life. What a dream!

Shimmer Plus More Shimmer

Embrace the shimmer! We find a lovely plum purple next to a single sparkle nail for an unforgettable look.

Go Wild!

If you’re looking for another animal print that’s not leopard, consider going with these zebra stripes. Black and white works fine but these browns really work best and look more natural. Rawr!

Go Big

If you’re not going big, what are you even doing? Purple, aqua, and orange somehow work brilliantly together in these DIY manicures. Add some sparkle for good measure and you’ve got some irresistible claws!

Sea Journey

The person who shared this photo of their DIY manicures explained that they were inspired by the sea! Don’t these shimmery delights remind you of the sun reflecting off of the waves?

School Them

This photo was shared by a teacher who explained she did these nails for the return of her class. How fun are they? We bet her students will love the effort she put into these claws!

Electric Dream

These nails look like candy! With pink, yellow, and a shimmering purple you too can make those electric dreams come true!

Delicate

How delicate are these botanical DIY manicures? We find the palest green paired with some blush flowers for a look that looks like it’s floating on air.

Stripes!

When in doubt, add some stripes to make a statement. The lovely sparkly lines really do add so much to the marble base.

Peachy

We wanted more fruit and, girl, did we get it! These peach nails are pretty much everything and one of our favorite DIY manicures on this list.

Loving It

Get your ketchup and mustard fantasy on with these McDonald’s-inspired DIY manicures. We’re not sure who this will appeal to but we know you’re out there!

Sunset

These DIY manicures look like a sparkling sunset, right? If you are after a warm color scheme, we encourage you to explore all the oranges.

Melon Madness

It’s not summer unless there’s watermelon involved, right? These playful melon-inspired nails are absolutely a blast and don’t seem too hard to pull off! e

Radical

If you’re afraid of color, this likely makes you shutter. But, for fans of rainbow DIY manicures, you could not find a more vibrant set of claws!

Mellow

Confetti adds just enough pop in these soft, pink DIY manicures. If you’d like a little razzle-dazzle but not something over-the-top, consider a similar scheme.

Easter

These DIY manicures somehow look like Easter. The soft pastels and shiny topcoat truly make us want some Peeps.

Dots

Seeing spots? These dangerously fun polka dots in varying colors are slightly wacky but an inventive way to make your nails look like spotted robin’s eggs.

The Details

These warm tips are perfectly finished with tiny flower details to add some sweetness. These are the perfect summer DIY manicures.

Mermaid Mama

These mermaid-inspired DIY manicures are a total, whimsical dream. They really do look like fish scales. We love the scalloped detail and think it would be fun to do the whole mani with them!

Daisy Chains

These nails look ethereal and stunningly simple. If you think you’ve got what it takes to do some freehand work on your DIY manicures, you should totally give this look a try!

Candy Striped

We find more wavy lines that remind us of 1960s fashion. We think this done in cool colors would be equally stunning.

Mean & Green

These nails remind us of comic books for some reason! The stunning green nail next to the contrasting purple really makes a statement.

Live It Up

Break some rules with your DIY manicures and prepare to revel in their uniqueness. These do not match but they do somehow coordinate well together.

Golden Abundance

Soft pink mixed with metallic gold looks ultra-femme and very special. Get creative, as this person has done, with how you apply the golden shapes and dazzle everyone you meet!

Peaches & Cream

The person who shared this image described being inspired by peaches and cream. We love the warm summery glow these DIY manicures give the hands.

Pastel Sunset

These soft neutrals look beautiful together as they go from cool blue to warm brown. This is one sweet look!

Stoned

When in doubt, add some stones to make basic DIY manicures really pop. We like the crescent shape down at the nailbed on the middle finger best.

Neon & Nature

These neon nails envision a world where leaves come in radical colors like pink and red. These irreverent and fun DIY manicures will serve you so well!

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Bows

This person described creating her DIY manicures with items they found at Dollar Tree. These are perfectly cute and girly which might be the look you’re going for!

There you go! We hope you enjoyed these DIY manicures and you intend on trying some of these looks on your own fingers. We encourage you to express yourself through your nail art with claws that are as colorful, interesting, and charming as you are! Now, it’s time to paint!