16 Prettiest Fall Leaf Nail Designs for a Perfect Autumn Mani

Fall leaf nail designs can be as simple as a tiny black sprig or as detailed as a full burgundy botanical manicure. I’m especially into the cat-eye versions, but chocolate French tips and delicate leaves with a touch of gold are hard to pass up. These ideas cover short nails, longer almond sets, and plenty of autumn colors, so you’ve got options for your next appointment.

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1. Burgundy Jelly Botanicals

Burgundy jelly nails with leaf design — @etherealbeautymeg

My first thought when I saw this set was stunning vintage lace. Start with a burgundy jelly to create a translucent berry base, then paint darker leafy stems and outline the entire nail. This burgundy-on-burgundy mani is one for the books.

2. Autumn Gradient Tips

Brown gradient French nails with glittery bronze leaf design — @nailsbypaular

Picking just one brown feels unnecessary when this autumn-colored French manicure exists. Do a different tip color on each nail, from cream and caramel to rust and burgundy, then add fine glittery bronze leaf branches over a pink base. I’d copy the long almond shape, too.

3. Chocolate Maple Leaves

Chocolate brown maple leaaf nails with golden foil — @thenaillologist

Mostly chocolate brown, with just enough maple leaf nail art to make the fall reference obvious. Go with glossy brown solids and pale pink accent nails, then add small brown leaves and flecks of gold foil. Two accents are plenty here.

4. Cherry Red Branches

Deep cherry red nails with leaf accents on a white abstract base — @simlynail

Deep cherry red looks especially good beside these milky white accents. Start with burgundy solids, then paint matching leaf branches over curved white sections on a sheer white base. I’d ask for this exact placement rather than covering the entire accent nail in white.

5. Leaf Accent Nails

Taupe brown nails with caramel brown French tips and leaf accents — @monika__nails

Taupe brown solids, a caramel French tip, and one leafy accent feel very appropriate for the first sweater purchase of the season. Go with a pink base for the tip and botanical nail, using small caramel leaves and touches of gold. I’d stop at one patterned accent so that tiny detailing gets noticed.

6. Red & Gold Foil

Reddish-wine brown nails with leaf and golden foil design — @nailsbypaulin

These reddish-wine-brown nails take a softer approach to autumn color. Start with glossy red solids, then pair them with milky pink accents featuring delicate red leaves and scattered gold foil. I’d ask for those slightly translucent leaves rather than solid blocks of color.

7. Mocha Cat-Eye

Mocha browncat eye effect nails with dark burgundy art — @rebekahxpritchard

These broad burgundy branches are a good reason to go larger with your leaf nail art. Start with a mocha cat-eye base on the accent nails and paint sweeping leaves from side to side, alongside deep wine solids. The reflective base makes every dark outline easy to see.

8. Colorful Leaf Accents

Brown French tip nails with dainity fall leaves design — @heluviee

Chocolate French tips and tiny orange, red, and burgundy leaves are such a good September to November combination. Go with a sheer pink base and reserve two nails for scattered foliage. The little leaves are worth the fine-brush patience.

9. Fall Foliage French

Leaf French nails in autumn colors — @paiwaloves

The leaves are the French tips here, and I’m very much into that decision. Start with a sheer pink base and a botanical cluster of orange, mustard, burgundy, and green along the almond edges. Let a few branches travel down the sides for that detailed, slightly irregular border.

10. Navy & Bronze

Navy blue nails with navy blue and bronze leaf design — @michaelanaildesign

Navy belongs in a fall manicure lineup, especially with bronze foliage involved. Go with glossy blue solids and sheer pink accents covered in fine navy and metallic branches. I’d choose this for a break from the usual brown-and-orange combinations.

11. Olive & White

Solid olive green nails with white on white leaf design accents — @janaxxnails

Olive green and fine white leaf outlines are a combination I’d happily repeat all fall. Start with glossy olive solids, then add delicate white branches to two pale pink accent nails. The short square shape suits the simplicity of the design.

12. Chrome Fall Botanicals

Neutral nails with chrome fall botanicals — @thedailynailofficial

Tiny chrome leaves, red berries, and a spotted mushroom make this an autumn manicure worth inspecting up close. Start with a sheer pink base and space the little motifs across short nails. I’d resist adding a colored French tip here because the miniature details already give you plenty to look at.

13. Bronze & Brown

Bronze cat eye nails with dark brown botanical nail art — @simlynail

Bronze cat-eye shimmer and dark brown leaves deserve more appointments together. Go with a mix of French tips and full magnetic accent nails, then paint the botanical pattern directly over the shimmer. There is something about cat-eye nails here that makes everything richer.

14. Minimal Black Leaves

Sheer shimmery white nails with black leaf design — @nailsbypaulin

A few tiny black leaves are all this shimmery manicure needs. Go with a sheer milky pink base and place short botanical sprigs near the tips or sidewalls. Perfect when you are looking for simple leaf nail art or something that totally fits short nails.

15. Lace Nails

Black on black botanical lace design — @paiwaloves

Fall nails don’t have to involve a single autumn color, and these black botanicals are a good case for the lace nail trend. Start with a sheer smoky base, then apply black lace transfer foil with leaf and floral motifs across short oval nails. All that intricate detail, no hand-painting required.

16. Velvet Effect

Red velvet nails with burgundy leaf nail art — @nailsbypaulin

The burgundy leaf art is subtle here, and that’s exactly why I like it. Go with a berry-red magnetic base, then add darker botanical strokes over the velvet shimmer. Short square nails suit this tonal fall design so well.

Take your favorite fall leaf nail design to your nail artist, or try a few leaf decals over a color you already love. A little autumn detail is a good excuse to try something beyond your usual solid mani.

SEE ALSO: Early Fall Nails