Father’s Day Nail Designs to Celebrate Dad in Style

Father’s Day isn’t just for ties and BBQ tools—it’s a chance to get creative and show love in unexpected ways. Nail art is one of them. 

Whether you’re heading to brunch with Dad, chilling at home, or snapping a selfie for the day, these nail ideas will add a personal (and fun) touch to your celebration.

Photo credit can be found via the Instagram link beneath each image.

Classic Tie Print

You know those loud, goofy ties your dad always wears—or used to? Now they’re nail art inspiration. Paint a few accent nails with tiny ties in fun patterns like stripes, plaid, or polka dots. A light blue or gray background keeps it classy while letting the tie pop.

“#1 Dad” Nails

This design spells it out. Literally. Use a bold blocky font to write “#1 Dad” across four nails, or do one letter per finger. Use your dad’s favorite colors for the base and add stars, little trophies, or even a heart on the thumb to tie it together.

BBQ Vibes

https://www.instagram.com/loudbabbs

If Father’s Day means grilling in your family, why not paint it? Draw tiny burgers, hot dogs, grill grates, and even smoke lines. Use black, red, and mustard yellow for that backyard BBQ feel. Bonus points for flames on a couple of nails!

Sports Team Pride

https://www.instagram.com/the_polished_rose_

Whether Dad lives for Sunday football, cricket matches, or baseball, you can show his team some love with themed nails. Use team colors as the base, and add logos, jersey numbers, or mini balls. If you’re short on time, even stripes in team colors make a solid statement.

Tool Time Design

https://www.instagram.com/jenpanese

For the dad who can fix anything. Draw little tools—like hammers, nails, and screwdrivers—on a beige or light gray base. Use a metallic silver or chrome polish to give it a real hardware feel. It’s a small nod to his big skillset.

Mustache Art

https://www.instagram.com/thenaileditrella

Mustaches are a timeless dad symbol. Paint a neutral base, then add small black mustaches on a few fingers. It’s cute, easy to do, and works well with minimalist looks or more playful styles.

Golf Nails

https://www.instagram.com/vonailsbysalena

If your dad’s favorite weekend activity is golf, this one’s a hole-in-one. Use green polish to mimic turf, and add mini golf balls, clubs, or a flagstick. A tiny white dot with a black outline makes the perfect golf ball detail.

Dad’s Favorite Drink

Whether it’s morning coffee, an ice-cold beer, or a soda, bring Dad’s favorite drink to life on your nails. Use tiny foam mugs, cans, or cups with “#1 Dad” labels. Add brown or amber polish for a liquid effect and tiny bubbles for realism.

Fishing Fun

https://www.instagram.com/thenailbar_gf

For the outdoorsy, fishing-obsessed dad. Create a watery background with swirls of blue and white, and draw tiny hooks, fish, or even a fishing rod across a couple of nails. It’s fun, detailed, and surprisingly calming to look at.

Comic Book Style

https://www.instagram.com/sohotrightnail

If your dad is your superhero, paint him as one—comic book style. Use bold outline and primary colors like red, yellow, and blue. A little retro, a lot of fun.

Car Lover’s Dream

https://www.instagram.com/neondrip_x

This one’s for the dad who’s always under the hood. Try matte black nails with silver tire tracks, tiny steering wheels, or speedometers. Red racing stripes add a dynamic edge. If he’s into classic cars, go with chrome and vintage details.

Flannel Print

https://www.instagram.com/shimmery_kymerie_aesthetics

Capture that cozy dad-flannel energy. Use a red or navy base and add crisscrossing black and white lines to create a plaid pattern. It takes a bit of patience or a nail striping brush, but the end result is worth it.

Retro ‘Dad Shoes’ Look

https://www.instagram.com/nailsinfinitybysue22

Think chunky sneakers, white soles, and lots of gray. Use geometric shapes and layered stripes to mimic sneaker styles like New Balance. It’s quirky, trendy, and a great conversation starter.

Minimalist “Dad” Lettering

For something simple but meaningful, go minimalist. Paint nails in a solid neutral color like white, nude, or gray, then use black nail art pens or stickers to write “Dad,” “Papa,” or “Love U.” It’s subtle but straight from the heart.

Game Controller Nails

Got a gamer dad? Draw tiny game controllers, D-pads, or console buttons on a matte black or dark blue background. Add neon accents like red, green, or yellow to mimic classic console lights.

Lawn Mower Art

This one’s niche, but so fun. Start with a grass-green background and add tiny lawn mowers, garden tools, or even zigzag “fresh cut” patterns. You can draw white track lines like a freshly mowed lawn.

DIY Nail Decals

https://www.instagram.com/nailsbyrajniranjan

Short on time or not into freehand art? No problem. You can find custom nail decals online that say “Happy Father’s Day,” “#1 Dad,” or feature tools, ties, or grill icons. Just stick and seal with a top coat.

Matching Nails with Dad

This is one of the most fun ideas if your dad is cool with it. Paint a single nail to match his favorite color or a shared hobby. He might not sit through a whole mani, but a matching nail or two is a great way to bond.

Personalized Message

Nothing beats a custom message. Use tiny letters to write a note to your dad across your nails—something like “Thanks Dad” or “Love You Pops.” You can even hide initials or a special date on one nail as a surprise.

Final Thoughts

Your Father’s Day nails don’t have to be over-the-top. Even a small detail can say a lot. Whether you go big with full designs or keep it subtle with a tiny tie or mustache, your mani can be just as heartfelt as any card or gift. Plus, it’s fun to do—and makes for great Instagram pics.

So pick a design (or combine a few), and give Dad a reason to smile the moment he sees your nails.