20 Short Fall Nail Ideas for Easing Into Autumn

Fall brings a flurry of hands-on activities like pumpkin picking, porch decorating, and outdoor scavenger hunts. While long nails can handle these tasks, there’s no denying that shorter nails make things easier. That’s why we’ve curated the most stylish short fall nails for you. We began by consulting professional nail artists about this season’s hottest trends, then scoured Instagram for chic, short designs. Ahead, discover all the short fall nails we’re excited to wear this autumn.

Olive Reverse French

We love a classic French manicure, but have you ever considered flipping the design? “This reverse French mani by Hang Nguyen features a perfect fall color palette,” says Mazz Hanna, manicurist and CEO of Nailing Hollywood. “The darker and lighter olive shades pair beautifully. Reverse French is ideal for short nails as it creates the illusion of longer nail beds, similar to the effect of negative space.”

Negative Space Star Nails

Negative space manicures with dark polish are especially popular for fall 2024, according to Hanna. “Dark-toned negative space manicures are perfect for short nails,” she explains. “The deep colors complement the fall season, and the negative space makes nails look longer.”

Autumn Floral Nails

Celebrity manicurist Julie Kandalec, a KISS Nails brand ambassador, recommends glitter gradients, tortoiseshell accents, magnetic green finishes, autumnal mix-n-match designs, terrazzo prints, and crisp French manicures for short nails. If you prefer a neutral manicure, she suggests starting with a creamy beige base and adding gemstones or autumnal floral details for a touch of fall flair.

Autumn Skittle Nails

For a quick short fall nail design, try an autumn Skittle mani. Hanna suggests denim blue, chocolate brown, deep red, and forest green as go-to colors.

Autumn Snake Print Nails

Black and burgundy are two of fall’s most popular polish colors, making them perfect for a trendy animal print design. This snake print mani is a moodier twist on the classic tortoiseshell look.

Tortoiseshell Nails

Still a fan of tortoiseshell? So are we. “Tortoiseshell print nails are always a fall favorite and look great on short nails,” says Hanna. “The pattern adds an eye-catching touch that’s perfect for the season.”

Autumn Water Marble Nails

If you love the idea of mostly beige nails but want more artistic flair than rhinestones or dainty daisies, consider a multicolor autumn water marble accent. Achieve this look by swirling wet polish on top of a milky nude base, then finishing with a top coat.

Black and White Bordered Floral Nails

High-contrast nail designs are a year-round favorite. For fall, try this black, white, and red bordered floral mani. You can recreate the look at home with a dotting tool.

Bold Color Block French Tips

Bold colors are a great way to elevate a classic French manicure. This burgundy and cerulean color block design is a striking example.

Brown Gradient Color Block Nails

High-contrast nail designs can be achieved with neutrals too. This geometric brown gradient nail art by Hang Nguyen perfectly captures the fall vibe, combining negative space, fall tones, and color blocking in one manicure.

Brown Swirl Floral Nails

While brown tones are popular for fall, this cute floral swirl design takes it up a notch. “Brown nails match the cozy vibes of fall so perfectly,” says Hanna. “Hang paired brown tones with floral nail art to create a mani that bridges the summer-to-fall transition.”

Denim Color Block Nails

Denim tones are particularly trendy for fall 2024. Hanna highlights this color block and negative space design by Hang Nguyen, noting that denim tones are perfect for early fall as we transition from warmer weather.

Burgundy and blush is a versatile color combination that works just as well for Valentine’s Day as it does for fall. You can DIY this swirl mani with a fine-lining nail art brush.

Burgundy and Blush Swirl Nails

Chrome Nude Skittle Mani

Chrome manicures continue to be a staple in nail salons everywhere. For fall, try a short nude Skittle mani topped with a high-shine chrome finish.

Dual-Finish Mix-n-Match Mani

Can’t choose just one fall nail design? A mix-n-match mani allows you to combine several. The same goes for finishes. While glossy nails are a classic, nail artist Tara Haye suggests trying a matte finish for fall. “Matte nails create a sophisticated look,” she explains, noting that the shine-free finish enhances classic autumn shades.

Gold French Tips

Gilded gold French tips add a touch of glam to any neutral fall mani. To perfect the look, use French manicure nail stickers, and wait until your polish is completely dry before removing them.

Halloween Motif Nails

No fall nail roundup would be complete without a Halloween design. Here’s proof that almost any Halloween motif can be adapted for short nails.

Mixed Animal Print Nails

Pairing a few fall nail art trends into one design makes for a striking mani. This one combines evergreen and milky beige polishes with tortoiseshell accents and popular cow print designs.

Navy Floral Nails

This cute fall floral mani is easy to DIY. Start by polishing a few nails with full coats of denim color, then use a dotting tool and a nail art brush to create bordered floral designs.

Oxblood Glitter Nails

Sparkly nails might seem more suited for summer or the holidays, but this short shimmery oxblood design is perfect for fall. Pro tip: you can transform any fall polish with an ultra-fine shimmer topper.