Phone cases are the perfect blank canvas for unique and interesting ideas. You can choose from a nearly endless variety of graphics, materials, and add-ons to make your phone case designs distinctive and differentiate your business from the competition.
Almost 70% of phone users own a phone case, making it the most used phone accessory. The demand is creating a massive market, valued at $11.56 billion in 2024—and expected to grow.
The right phone case design can help you break into this field. You can use a design software or hire a professional to help you design your products, and find a print-on-demand service to bring your creations to life.
Here are some design style ideas to bookmark for inspiration.
23 phone case design ideas
- Plants
- Holidays
- Retro
- Nature
- Fantasy
- Geometric
- Clear
- Glitter
- Stickers
- Fabrics
- Quotes
- Drop-resistant
- Art
- Holographic
- Built-in stand
- Wallet
- Floral
- Swappable
- Minimal
- Branded
- Mood-changing
- Custom photos
- Collage
Silicone and plastic are popular and cost-effective phone case materials, but you can use wood, metal, leather, or other inventive materials to create unique designs. Just be sure they’re durable and comfortable to hold—phone cases that slip and break easily are unlikely to be successful in the long run.
Use these phone case design ideas to spark your creative process:
1. Plants
There are lots of creative ways to cater to green thumbs. Houseplants, forest vines, or fruiting trees—you can use a plant motif in almost any style from mysterious to whimsical to cozy. Go realistic with scientific names and labels or take an unusual route by making your design black and white instead of green-dominant.
2. Holidays
Everyone has a favorite holiday, so why not give them a phone case to help them celebrate? Capture the feel of major holidays by using popular motifs, color palettes, and imagery. Include a few lesser-known holidays or fan-favorite twists, like Mother’s Day or Star Wars Day, to address a wider audience.
3. Retro
Tap into nostalgia with retro patterns and designs that evoke the feeling of specific eras relevant to your target audience. Draw inspiration from retro video games, classic diners, classic movies, and music. Learn what your customer base loved when they were young and play around with styles and images to capture their childhoods.
For example, this retro phone case from Pela has been styled to look like a cassette tape, evoking a time before music streaming apps and smartphones were ubiquitous.
4. Nature
Capture the beauty and grandeur of the outdoors with a nature-themed phone case. Go for wildlife shots of majestic eagles, bears, or tigers, or use landscapes from different seasons. Or you can target a specific nature-loving audience by using images or patterns related to hunting, skiing, camping, or fishing.
5. Fantasy
Evoke the epic by designing phone cases with traditional elements from fantasy worlds like dragons, castles, magic, and potions. Consider popular fantasy staples and mythical creatures like werewolves, vampires, mermaids, and wizards to tap into existing fanbases. However, be careful not to run afoul of copyright and intellectual property laws; unless you’re collaborating with a particular studio or publisher, it’s best to stay away from specific characters and instead illustrate new riffs on classic mainstays.
6. Geometric
Use geometric patterns to design a kaleidoscopic phone case. You can create fractal-like patterns with repeating shapes, or make the entire case a unique, geometric shape.
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7. Clear
Some users like the look of their phone without a case—which is where clear phone case designs come in. You can sell completely clear and translucent cases, or add semi-transparent images and text to a clear phone cover.
8. Glitter
The sparkle and shine of glitter is a reliable showstopper. Create a glittery look by using a shiny printed pattern or use actual glitter held in place with resin. Go abstract, or re-imagine your brand colors and logo in glitter.
Accessories brand Skinnydip London has a variety of glitter accessories in its collection, including this case that combines glitter, fruit, and disco for a maximalist design.
9. Stickers
Stickers are the ultimate customization idea for DIY phone cases. You can sell a clear or single-color phone case and themed sticker sheets so customers can add them however they want. Or you can create the same DIY effect without real stickers by printing sticker-like designs on phone cases.
10. Fabrics
Phone cases don’t have to be all plastic or silicone—try adding fabric to enhance the feel of your design. Go for a luxurious soft velvet or flannel fabric that will feel warm and comforting in winter, or try a rougher linen or canvas that provides grip and texture.
Alternatively, mimic a fabric design, recreating the look of recognizable fabrics like gingham, tartan, or distressed denim. This unique phone case by PopSockets, for example, has a patchwork design that evokes quilting.
11. Quotes
Famous phrases and popular sayings are often a hit with accessories. Get inspiration from pop culture, or go old-school with quotes from Shakespeare and other famous writers. Ensure you respect copyright laws before designing or selling any product with quotes.
12. Drop-resistant
The primary function of a phone case is to protect your phone, so why not make the ultimate rugged case for customers who are interested in complete damage-resistance? Experiment with weight, size, and thickness to achieve a case that can withstand any drop, crush, or throw—perfect for an adventurous audience.
13. Art
From rococo to surrealism, there is a vast history of art styles and designs to get your next idea from. Consider oil paintings, plein-air landscapes, or pop art styles. You can commission artists to create new ideas for your cases or draw from the vast resource of classic art in the public domain.
14. Holographic
Create holographic phone cases to add depth, gloss, and a 3D effect that turns heads. You can use the holographic effect on solid colors to give a wavy look, or use photos that change their shape and appearance depending on how you look at them.
15. Built-in stand
Some customers care less about design than function. Having a built-in kickstand allows customers to prop up their devices easily. Make sure the stand is secure and sits flat when not in use.
16. Wallet
Make a phone case with ultimate utility by having it double as a wallet. Add a card-sized pocket at the back or have your phone case fold out to carry multiple cards and cash.
For example, the accessories brand Mujjo sells leather phone cases that have a stylish design and integrated case for cards.
17. Floral
Flowers and floral designs can add splashes of color and nature to brighten up a phone case. Try a simple design with a single type of popular flower like purple lilies, roses, or sunflowers, or show off bouquets of many flowers. You can also try a floral design with repeating floral images or shapes.
18. Swappable
Customers who want customization options will love phone cases that they can easily swap out daily with new colors and patterns. Design a phone case with a removable back panel, so customers can match their outfit or nail polish to their phone case color every day. You could sell additional phone case panels separately in a variety of colors and patterns for your customers to get creative with.
19. Minimal
Shoot for a sleek and modern look with a minimalist phone case. Choose a single color or texture, or solid lines and clean shapes.
This leather phone case from Bullstrap, for example, is lightly textured and develops a patina over time.
20. Branded
Turn your phone case into brand swag by adding your logo or other brand identity markers. You can then hand out these custom phone cases at conventions or include them in shipments to customers.
21. Mood-changing
Use a mood-changing material for your phone case that changes color based on temperature. Chromogenic polymers will swirl with neon colors when touched, heated, or cooled, emulating the effect of reacting to the holder’s mood.
22. Custom photos
Let your customers turn into designers and explore their creativity by allowing them to choose their own favorite photo to print on their phone case. Encourage customers to use their favorite photos of vacations, families, pets, or interests.
23. Collage
Create a collage by layering multiple photos and images to create depth and build a cohesive design. Try experimenting with popular themes, such as pop culture, animals, or holiday destinations.
Phone case design ideas FAQ
How can you make a phone case more interesting?
You can make a phone case more interesting by using unique designs, textures, fabrics, shapes, and materials. You can also add to its utility by including features like a pocket for cards or a kickstand.
How large is the phone case market?
The phone case market was estimated at around $11.56 billion in 2024 and is anticipated to continue growing.
What do consumers want in a phone case?
According to an Ipsos report, individuals are most interested in durability, including protection from drops and scratches. Beyond that, they’re looking for style, portability, and utility.
