hether it’s your first tattoo and you have some reservations or it's your 100th tattoo but you’re looking to go smaller and more discreet, you have a lot of options at your fingertips and choosing the right design is pivotal. After all, you’ll be living with it forever.
Tattoo’s come in many sizes and designs, and sometimes it’s the smallest design that makes the biggest impact. With only a little space of skin and a few lines, smaller tattoos can elicit strong feelings comparable to those from overly detailed large tattoos. So, if you’re finding yourself overwhelmed by the limitless array of small tattoos designs and places to put them, perhaps our guide can help you narrow down your prospects. Read this article for some guidance, but don’t feel like you have to stick strictly to our advice. Remember, it’s a guide not a rulebook. Tattoos are meant to be customized to fit you!
1. Dainty Flowers
Delicate flowers are pretty and can make for a stunning tattoo. What makes this particular tattoo idea different from other flower tattoos is the lack of shading, detail, and color – and of course, the size. The lack of detail and the thin lines reflect a light stroke when drawing this image which in turn provides the appearance of a delicate tattoo. If this is your first tattoo, it may be a great idea since the tattoo will never look harsh and also because flowers are timeless. It’s highly unlikely that you’ll go from loving flowers to hating flowers throughout your life.
Flowers can also make for meaningful tattoos. This could mean picking your favorite flower, a flower that has special meaning to you, the flower associated with your birthday, or a flower that universally has a particular meaning. Here are some flowers that hold a specific meaning:
- Daffodils – new beginnings
- Daisies – childhood innocence, simplicity and joy
- Pink carnations – a mother’s pure and never-ending love
- Tulips – love
- Bluebells – kindness
- Aster – love (Greek mythology)
- Calla Lily – attraction
- Hyacinth – dedicated to the Greek sun god Apollo, these symbolize games, sports, and play
- Magnolia – a love of nature
The above-the-elbow placement of a tattoo compliments the discreteness of the small flower tattoo. Having something in this location is a little more hidden and mysterious than the forearm and wrist. It’s a flattering location for both men and women, despite it being a more masculine location in the past. This placement is becoming trendier with time and we love it!
2. A Slithery Snake on Your Bikini Line
Besides making you look super tough, snake tattoos symbolize a brand new start in life. This is because snake’s shed their skin, allowing them to heal and regrow a new skin. This resonates with many people who are looking to or who have turned over a new leaf in their life. If you think some small snake designs look as rad as we do, and if you’re all about learning how to pick yourself up after you fall down and grow as a person, this could be the perfect tattoo for you.
As for the location, the bikini line or even the space around the hips are very hidden and a little provocative. This is great for someone who likes an element of mystery or who wants their tattoo to be covered on a day-to-day basis. But, keep in mind that this little reptile will be out on the prowl when you throw on a swimsuit!
3. Paw Prints Climbing Up the Ankle
This is the perfect simple and small tattoo for the ultimate dog lover. Pay tribute to your good boy or good girl with this paw-some tattoo! Despite being filled-in, this design still evokes the dainty look that you’re going for with your tattoo. It’s not overwhelming for the eye, adds just a little something-something to your ankle, and will definitely make you smile when you get the occasional glimpse. The love you have for your fur baby is sure to last a lifetime as will your tattoo. If by chance the ankle is not hidden enough for you, putting the paw prints on the top of your foot is another really attractive placement option (albeit a bit painful).
4. Zodiac Sign Behind the Ear
Astrology symbols, like zodiac signs, are a popular choice for a small tattoo because they tend to translate well to a smaller size. For example, Rihanna has the Pisces symbol tattooed behind her right ear and it seamlessly matches her aesthetic and pops despite being only a couple of lines.
Both dainty and bold, behind the ear is a popular spot for those smaller tattoos you want to show off when you tie your hair back or conceal when you let your hair down. This placement is prime real estate for tattoos among many celebrities such as Adele, Rita Ora, and Selena Gomez who all have behind the ear tattoos. Moral of the story: a behind the ear tattoo is worth considering even if you aren’t a huge fan of astrology.
5. Abstract Side Tattoo
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