31 Negative Space Nail Ideas I'm Taking To My Next Mani Appointment

last updated 8 March 2024

If you're anything like me, you might be somewhat indecisive when it comes to choosing your manicure design. While I love to follow nail trends, I often find myself leaning towards neutral nails—think sheer pinks and milky white nail polishes—that give the nails a groomed look. The other side of my personality loves nail art. So when it comes to landing on a design for my next salon visit, I often come back to negative space nail ideas because they pair both trends together—win-win.

What Are Negative-Space Nails?

Negative space manicures combine two of my favourite trends: bare nails and nail art. You'll often see nail art applied on bare nails, or very sheer nail polishes that perfect the nails and allow minimalist nail art to shine. The style is low-maintenance yet fun, and because bare nails make a great neutral base, the design choices are endless. Whether you opt for a reverse French design, abstract swirls or a different design on each nail, there are plenty of ideas to experiment with.

If you're ready to find some negative space nail ideas for your next manicure appointment, scroll ahead for all the best designs I've found.

31 Negative-Space Nail Designs We've Saved for Our Next Salon Session

1. Gilded Bronze

This bronze outline nail art is like jewellery for your nails, and looks amazing on an almond shaped mani.

2. Jewelled Reverse French

I'm bookmarking this reverse French for my next appointment.

3. Negative Space Florals

Floral nail art feels fresh on a neutral base—and those Chanel nail stickers are the cherry on top.

4. Matcha Negative Space Nail Art

Matcha is this season's biggest nail colour, and it looks amazing paired with negative space nail art such as this abstract design.

5. Lilac Abstract Nail Art

Even though each nail has a slightly different design, the look is really harmonious in this dreamy lilac hue.

6. Micro Green French

If you're a colour-phobe, this is a really minimal way to experiment with colour. I love this hint of bright green on bare nails.

7. Black Swirls and French Tips

Black makes a great statement for negative space nail art.

8. Pastel Swirls

Why not experiment with a different colour within the same tonal palette? This pastel manicure is so dreamy.

9. Negative Space Hearts

Two words: How. Cute.

10. Black and White French

If monochromes are your thing, then this is a super chic design to try next.

11. Multi-Coloured Diagonal French

A rainbow of brights always looks so fresh on a bare nail.

12. Negative Space French Tips

This design would look amazing in any colour.

13. Smiley Face Negative Space Nail Art

You can't not be happy when wearing this fun manicure.

14. Gold Foil Negative Space Nails

This might be the most elevated negative space nail design I've seen yet.

15. Reverse Dotted French Manicure

Bare nails and minimal negative space nail art are a match made in heaven.

16. Negative Space Circles

Circles make a great negative space nail design in any polish, but glitter is a fun take for the party season.

17. White Cutout Nails

Leaving the half moons of your nails bare is another cute take on negative space nail art.

18. Daisy Negative Space Nail Art

A smattering of tiny daisies is a cute nod to the spring and summer seasons.

19. Nail Stickers

If you're DIY'ing your manicure, nail stickers make it really easy to achieve negative space nail art without the need for a steady hand.

20. Silver Negative Space Nail Art

Silver is back in a big way, so I'm saving this squiggly nail art design.

21. Tiny Floral Nail Art

Tiny floral nail art always looks chic without being over the top. I love the metallic chrome colours used here.

22. Tuexdo French

The combination of black and white and French tips and negative space nails is *chef's kiss*.

23. Grid Nail Art

Bright colours look amazing in this grid design, and I love that each nail has a different colour—a big plus if you can't decide on one colour.

24. Multi-Coloured Swirls

This colourful design is dopamine in nail art form—so fun.

25. Double French

How expensive-looking is this double French in deep burgundy?

26. Neutral Negative Space French Manicure

Negative space French tips look amazing in neutral tones.

27. White Cutouts

This manicure paired with an oversized shirt cuff would be such a vibe.

28. Lilac and White Swirls

I've landed on this design for my next nail art appointment.

29. Mismatched Negative Space Nail Art

Go crazy with a different design on every nail.

30. Tonal Reverse French

Take two similar colours and alternate them on each nails.

31. Negative Space Ombre Nails

Ombre designs look great paired with bare nails for a minimalist look.

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Eleanor Vousden is the beauty editor for Who What Wear UK. She was previously deputy editor at Hairdressers Journal, health writer at Woman & Home and junior beauty editor at beauty website Powder. She has also contributed to Wallpaper and Elle Collections with written and styling work.Working as a beauty journalist since 2015 after graduating in fashion journalism at the London College of Fashion, she has been highly commended at the BSME Talent Awards for her work on Powder and also contributed to the title winning Website of the Year at the PPA Awards.Eleanor’s journalistic focus is to provide readers with honest and helpful beauty content. Through words, video and live broadcast, she has interviewed several celebrity makeup artists, hairstylists and top dermatologists throughout her career, as well as celebrities such as Sarah Jessica Parker and Scarlett Johansson. She has a particular interest in finding solutions for acne and eczema, which she has experienced firsthand. She has also amassed a large collection of fragrances and can never say no to a new candle.When she’s not writing or testing the latest beauty product or treatments, she’s on the seafront in her hometown of Brighton and Hove, where she lives with her partner and her miniature dachshund.