25 Genius Tattoo Cover Up Ideas
If you have a tattoo that you no longer love or want to hide, don’t worry – there are plenty of clever ways to cover it up. From unique designs to creative techniques, these 25 genius tattoo cover up ideas will help you transform your unwanted ink into a new masterpiece.

Floral Bouquet Overlay

Covering up an old tattoo with a beautiful floral bouquet is a classic and elegant option. You can choose from a variety of flower types, colors, and arrangements to create a stunning new design that draws the eye away from the original tattoo.
Mandala Masterpiece

Intricate mandala patterns make for gorgeous tattoo cover ups. The symmetrical, spiritual designs can conceal a wide range of tattoo sizes and styles beneath their mesmerizing lines and shapes.
Watercolor Wash

Embracing the fluid, ethereal look of watercolor paints can result in a truly one-of-a-kind tattoo cover up. This technique allows you to blend colors and create a soft, dreamlike design that seamlessly hides the old ink.
Blackout Background

For a bold and dramatic cover up, consider going with a solid blackout background. This creates a clean, uniform canvas to build a new tattoo design on top of, effectively erasing the previous artwork.
Geometric Patterns

Geometric shapes, lines, and patterns make for visually striking tattoo cover ups. You can play with different angles, sizes, and color combinations to create a unique design that covers your old tattoo.
Nature-Inspired Scenes

Bringing natural elements like landscapes, animals, or celestial motifs into your cover up design can result in a beautiful, meaningful piece of body art. These types of designs are perfect for concealing larger tattoos.
Optical Illusions

Incorporating optical illusion effects into your cover up tattoo is a clever way to distract from the original ink. Things like 3D shapes, hidden images, and mind-bending patterns can completely transform the appearance of your tattoo.
Negative Space Masterpieces

Instead of filling the entire area with new ink, you can use the power of negative space to conceal your old tattoo. Strategically placing elements like outlines, silhouettes, or minimalist designs can cleverly hide what’s underneath.
Delicate Lace Details

The intricate, feminine look of lace makes for a gorgeous tattoo cover up. This delicate, flowing style can soften the appearance of bolder, more prominent tattoos.
Tribal-Inspired Designs

Embracing bold, tribal-inspired patterns and motifs is a fantastic way to cover up an old tattoo. These strong, graphic designs can completely transform the look of your body art.
Ornate Mandalas

Taking the mandala concept to the next level with highly ornate, detailed designs can result in a breathtaking tattoo cover up. The intricate patterns and symmetry draw the eye away from the original ink.
Whimsical Illustrations

Bringing a touch of whimsy and imagination to your cover up tattoo can lead to truly unique results. Playful, illustrated designs featuring fantasy elements, quirky characters, or imaginative scenes can conceal a wide range of tattoos.
Realistic Portraits

Covering up an old tattoo with a stunningly realistic portrait is a powerful and impactful option. Whether it’s a loved one, a pet, or a work of art, this approach can transform your body art in a meaningful way.
Delicate Feathers

The soft, wispy look of feather tattoos makes for a beautiful and feminine cover up. You can play with the placement, direction, and color of the feathers to create a design that hides your old ink.
Elegant Script

Incorporating elegant, flowing script into your cover up tattoo can result in a visually striking and personal design. This approach works well for concealing smaller or more simple tattoos.
Minimalist Silhouettes

Sometimes, less is more when it comes to tattoo cover ups. Opting for minimalist silhouettes or outlines can effectively hide your old ink while creating a clean, modern look.
Dreamy Clouds

Covering up a tattoo with wispy, ethereal clouds can produce a truly serene and calming effect. This approach works especially well for larger tattoos that you want to transform into a soothing, nature-inspired design.
Vibrant Kaleidoscope

Embracing a bold, kaleidoscopic pattern is a fantastic way to cover up an old tattoo in a visually striking way. The dynamic, colorful design will draw the eye away from the original ink.
Intricate Filigree

The delicate, intricate lines of filigree-inspired designs make for gorgeous tattoo cover ups. This approach can transform a busy or unwanted tattoo into a beautiful, ornate piece of body art.
Meaningful Symbolism

Incorporating meaningful symbols, icons, or motifs into your cover up tattoo can result in a deeply personal and impactful design. This is a great option for concealing tattoos that hold negative associations.
Celestial Constellations

Covering up an old tattoo with a breathtaking celestial design featuring stars, moons, and planets can lead to a truly mesmerizing result. This approach works well for larger tattoos that you want to transform into a symbolic, cosmic piece of body art.
Playful Patterns

Embracing playful, abstract patterns and designs is a fun way to cover up an unwanted tattoo. This approach allows you to get creative and experiment with different colors, shapes, and compositions.
Vintage-Inspired Illustrations

Channeling a vintage, antique-inspired aesthetic can result in a truly unique and visually striking tattoo cover up. Incorporating elements like old-world motifs, classic illustrations, or aged textures can conceal your old ink in a one-of-a-kind way.
Elegant Lace Overlay

Similar to the delicate lace design mentioned earlier, an elegant lace overlay can also make for a beautiful tattoo cover up. This approach softens the appearance of the original ink and creates a feminine, romantic look.
Minimalist Geometric Shapes

For a clean, modern cover up, consider embracing minimalist geometric shapes and patterns. This approach allows you to conceal your old tattoo while creating a visually striking, architecturally-inspired design.
Botanical Arrangements

Bringing in elements of nature, such as botanicals, foliage, and florals, can result in a stunning tattoo cover up. This approach allows you to transform your old ink into a serene, nature-inspired piece of body art.