Chain curtains provide stylish social distancing for diners

A Spanish décor company is repurposing its chain curtains as dividers, helping businesses maintain social distancing

Spotted: Following the coronavirus shutdowns, businesses around the world are struggling to put safety measures in place so they can reopen. This “new normal” includes barriers and physical distancing between workers and customers. While many types of businesses are installing plastic barriers, the hospitality industry is developing more aesthetically pleasing alternatives. Spanish metal chain manufacturer Kriskadecor is proposing that its décor chains could be a perfect solution.

The company develops “curtains” made from anodised aluminium chains, to “manage the flow of people, signpost common spaces or create different environments” without the need to use bulky structures. The chain partitions can be customised with different colours, shapes, and dimensions to suit any space. Thanks to a specialised design process, any picture, pattern or corporate design can also be reproduced, with each link acting as a pixel to form a complete image on the chain curtain.

However, it is the lightness of the chain dividers that may appeal most to the hospitality industry. The chain helps to divide space and maintain physical distancing, without breaking up the visual field. This could allow restaurants and other spaces to maintain a feeling of light and space. In addition to an aesthetic appeal, Kriskadecor’s chain curtains are easy to clean and disinfect.

According to the company, the chains create a safety barrier without impacting socialising amongst employees: “This original design delimits a common area with a semi-transparent material that works as an impassable psychological barrier. As a result, employees have a haven where they can relax and bond.”

Kriskadecor is not the only design firm to give serious thought to how their products could be used to help businesses recover from the pandemic shutdowns. A Springwise, we have covered a number of intriguing design innovations aimed at helping businesses reopen. These include creating more flexible train interiors and attractive shields to help restaurant-goers dine out safely. 

Explore more: Architecture & Design Innovations | COVID-19 Innovations