Maroon is that dark red with a brown undertone – earthier than burgundy, moodier than cherry red, and easily the most fall-coded nail shade you can wear. And clearly you all agree, because TPI’s DMs and inbox have been blowing up asking for a maroon inspo post.
So here it is: maroon isn’t playing background character this year. She’s showing up in chrome, blooming gel, tortie mashups – basically every trend charting right now. I did the scroll marathon through NailTok, Pinterest, and Insta so you don’t have to, and these are the maroon sets worth saving for your next appointment.
1. Full Coverage
Sometimes you don’t need nail art, you just need that brown-red in all her glossy, dramatic glory. And if you’re a lipstick-matcher like me, this set is chef’s kiss – nothing hits harder than a matching maroon lip + mani in the fall.
2. Celestial Nails
Maroon Frenchies topped with silver chrome stars and a little aura glow in the background? Tell me that isn’t peak star-girl energy. And yes, I will be obnoxiously holding my hot chocolate with both hands so everyone sees it.
3. Chrome Finish
Maroon nails but ’em it shiny-shiny. Reflective chrome powder takes the brown undertone and blasts it into full glam, and yes – it will double your gold ring stack flex. This is the chicest way to wear the dark chrome trend without defaulting to black.
4. Glitter Accents
Most nails stay maroon, but the accent nails switch it up with nude bases and maroon-gold glitter swoops. This is such a good balance if you love glitter but don’t want it to dominate your set. Subtle drama. Strategic shimmer. Nail girl math.
5. French Mani
Maroon French tips on a nude base are the perfect autumn switch from classic white. It’s chic, minimal, and still gives you that structured design but in a deeper, fall-appropriate shade. I always recommend this one if you’re bored of pinks but not ready for black French tips.
6. Heart Accents
Accent Frenchies with tiny maroon red hearts at the cuticle… stop it. This is so soft-girl fall. If you’ve been saying “maroon’s too dark for me,” try this. The hearts take the edge off and make it cute without being saccharine. Catch me wearing this on every date this cuffing season.
7. Coquettee Nails
Milky pink and maroon alternates with 3D bows and baby stars? The blueprint for fall 2025 coquette-core, because who said bows can’t serve with drama? You get the cute-girl energy and the bold fall tones in one mani. Slay both sides.
8. Rhinestone Bling
Solid red-brown base with one tiny rhinestone at the cuticle on each nail – this is what minimal bling done right looks like. If you’ve ever avoided rhinestone stickers because they felt tacky, this set will change your mind.
9. Leopard Print
Maroon base with leopard nail art = the Y2K comeback we actually wanted. Animal print is everywhere again, but paired with maroon it looks designer-level chic instead of full Jerseylicious (with love to 2010, but no thanks).
10. 3D Nails
Maroon aura shading, textured florals, gold chrome details – this one is nail art maxed out and I fully support the drama. If you’re dropping coin for a full glam look, this is the kind of mani you want to flash around for weeks.
11. Accent French Tips
Most nails full-coverage maroon, feature nails are nude with maroon Frenchies- this layout is my go-to when I want structure without piling on extra nail art. And yes, it absolutely slaps on short nails too (verified by me, your resident short-nail girlie).
12. Blooming Gel Flowers
Full maroon nails mixed with blooming gel florals, and negative space cutouts? If you’re into experimental sets that still look wearable, this one’s a winner. I’ve been seeing this exact combo all over salon pages lately – blooming gel is definitely not done with us in 2025.
13. Metallic Lines
Accent Frenchies decked with gold chrome lines while the rest stay full-coverage – this is how you make maroon look like it just got a raise. If you want something shiny but hate glitter, this is your move. Subtle flex but still sparkly enough to catch compliments.
14. Starry Mani
Maroon base, white Frenchies as accents, and tiny maroon stars slapped on top? Yeah, we’re milking the star trend and doing it in a fall color story. It’s playful but wearable, which is why I think this one’s going to be everywhere from October to December.
15. Maroon & Gold
This one’s for the drama queens. Raised gold chrome outlines, maroon French tips, gold stars – shiny, 3D, borderline extra, and we love her for that. You’re not wearing this set for errands – you’re wearing it to be perceived.
16. Tortoise Shell
Tortoise shell had her little trend cycle, but toss maroon into the mix and now we’re doing fall nail art with taste. The glossy amber flecks against that red-brown base – fully serving drama, depth, and rich-girl nails.
17. Negative Space
Most nails are full-coverage maroon, but the accents flip to nude bases with dark red side swoops. The contrast hits sharp, bold, and modern – basically the cheat code for making a dark shade feel fresh instead of flat.
18. Cherry Art
Maroon French tips topped with cherry rhinestone accents are a dark twist on fruit nails. Cherry-core has been trending all year, and this design makes it work for the colder months. Definitely a fun one to try if you want something blingy.
19. Maroon & Orange
Full fall palette energy. Alternating maroon and burnt orange nails with a sculpted maroon floral accent. Orange is a huge fall 2025 color (thanks, Taylor Swift), and pairing it with maroon makes it less pumpkin-patch cliché and more editorial chic.
20. Cat-Eye Mani
A maroon cat-eye shimmer with a bow accent – NailTok gold. The magnetic pull on maroon shades hits so different, it gives depth and movement like molten velvet. Add a bow if you’re feeling cute, or skip it for sleek drama. Either way, it’s a slay.
And that’s the maroon lineup, bestie. Shade rec before you go? Essie Wicked is my forever cult-classic – the deep, vampy maroon that never misses. Now it’s your turn: drop your fave in the comments and don’t forget to share this post so more nail girlies can obsess with us.
SEE ALSO: Why Chestnut Nails Are the Must-Wear Shade for Fall/Winter
