Half-wall tiles are a trend identified at CASACOR 2025

The half-wall tiles are among the most striking bets of CASACOR 2025, showing that traditional coverings can gain new interpretations when applied creatively. This technique, which covers only part of the wall — usually up to a height of 1.20 m or 1.50 m — has won over architects and designers by balancing aesthetics and functionality. In addition to facilitating maintenance and protecting surfaces, the resource adds texture, color, and visual rhythm to the projects.

In this year's exhibition, different spaces reinterpret the use of the tile, sometimes as a standout element, sometimes as a backdrop for contemporary compositions. The trend reveals a search for more affective, durable, and expressive projects, where the covering becomes a fundamental component of architectural language.

Retro style with a contemporary touch

One of the main reasons for the return of half-wall tiles is nostalgia reinterpreted. Inspired by interiors from the 1950s to the 1970s, many projects rescue the charm of colorful coverings, but with a new palette and layout. Pastel tones, soft greens, terracotta, and grayish blues appear in balanced combinations, creating a dialogue between the past and the present.

Projects such as kitchens, lavatories, and hallways stand out by bringing an aesthetic that is both affective and elegant. The tiled half provides a balanced look: the tile protects and decorates, while the upper part — painted or textured — softens the set. This overlap of materials is one of the most observed marks in the exhibition, translating the idea of "less is more" with a good dose of personality.

Combination of materials and visual effects

Another highlight observed at CASACOR 2025 is the combination of tiles and other coverings, creating texture and contrast games. The height of the half-wall is also strategically used to alter the perception of proportion of the projects. When applied to the edge of the windows, for example, the strip of tile creates a horizon line that enhances the feeling of depth.

In social areas, colorful coverings can serve as decoration, especially when featuring images like traditional Portuguese tiles. It is also a simple resource for delimiting areas without resorting to physical partitions, which reinforces the spirit of spatial integration present in many projects of the exhibition. In bathrooms and wet areas, the half-wall tile joins with satin paint or even wooden panels, ensuring a balance between the handcrafted touch and the sophisticated finish.

New technologies and sustainability in the use of tiles

In addition to aesthetics, the trend also relates to sustainability and innovation. Many of the half-wall tiles presented at CASACOR 2025 use recycled materials, repurpose leftovers from previous works, or are part of collections produced with low water and energy consumption. The curation of coverings in the exhibition emphasizes the importance of considering design not only as style but also as environmental responsibility.

Another important advancement is personalization through digital printing, which allows precise reproduction of patterns and textures without the need for large stock. This expands creative possibilities and reduces waste. Thus, professionals can explore graphics, geometric compositions, and even reproductions of natural stones, maintaining the sophisticated look and practicality of ceramics.

This approach makes half-wall tiles a symbol of new sensory and conscious architecture, which seeks to combine technique, beauty, and purpose — a direct reflection of the theme of CASACOR 2025, centered on the dialogue between nature, innovation, and Brazilian identity.

CASACOR Publisher is a creator of exclusive content, developed by CASACOR's Technology team based on the knowledge base of casacor.com.br. This text was edited by Yeska Coelho.