When creativity meets patience—and a mountain of copper coins—you get a kitchen floor unlike any other. Meet Matt and Amy Giles, a couple from Shropshire, England, who transformed their kitchen using over 27,000 pennies. That’s right, their old linoleum has been swapped for a shimmering sea of copper, and the result? As Amy puts it, ‘Ten times better than expected.’
A Dream Forged in Pennies: The Ambitious Plan
Some people doodle or rearrange furniture when they crave change. Matt and Amy, on the other hand, collected thousands of pennies over the years, dreaming of a copper-clad kitchen. The Giles family spent years accumulating and storing coins until—eureka!—they had enough to take on a complete kitchen transformation. The official count? More than 27,000 individual coins, meticulously glued down, as reported by The Sun. This DIY odyssey was not for the faint of heart—or the impatient.
This project took inspiration from across the Atlantic. As Matt wryly revealed, ‘It was Amy’s idea; apparently, it’s very popular in the United States.’ Clearly, viral trends know no borders. To make the vision reality, Matt and Amy mobilized some friends and began an adventure that involved, among other things, multiple trips to various county banks to swap out cash for copper coins. The total cost for their dazzling new floor: just 315 euros. Not bad, considering the effect blows their old linoleum (which lasted almost ten years) straight out of the water.
Six Weeks, Countless Pennies, One Shiny Floor
Six weeks was all it took—for two very dedicated people, plus some supportive friends and perhaps the patience of saints. To get things started, Matt poured a self-leveling compound, ensuring the kitchen floor was smooth and uniform. After all, you don’t want your morning coffee to roll away on uneven pennies. Once leveled, the team set about sticking the coins one by one with glue—a repetitive but rewarding process. Only then did they pour on a layer of epoxy resin, giving the floor a glossy, glass-like finish and protecting the coins from sun-induced fading. Let’s be honest, even the Queen would approve of these pennies earning their keep.
- Over 27,000 pennies used
- Six weeks to complete
- Total cost: 315 euros
Matt, rightly proud, described the result: ‘The resin gives it a really smooth finish, like glass.’ The couple nearly opted for ceramic tiles, but after seeing their handiwork, they had no regrets. Amy voiced her delight, saying, ‘I saw it on the internet on Friday and we started the next day. We love it.’ She added, ‘You look at pictures online and you know it’ll be nice, but when you see it in real life, it’s ten times better.’
Penny Floors: The Quirky Trend Sweeping Across the Globe
This ‘penny floor’ has emerged as a popular trend, especially in the United States. Social media platforms, particularly TikTok, are teeming with videos showcasing similar copper coin renovations. The clear appeal? If you strictly follow the steps, the result is both eye-catching and surprisingly simple to achieve—though it’s not a pursuit for those short on patience or attention to detail.
The basic recipe for a penny floor:
- Prepare and smoothen the surface
- Glue each coin, one by one, avoiding the urge to toss them out of frustration
- Add a sealing joint to reinforce and waterproof
- Pour the epoxy resin across the entire surface
- Wait three days for it all to dry and set
Some folks align all their coins the same way for a uniform look, while others opt for a more eclectic arrangement—after all, variety is the spice of (kitchen) life.
Copper Floors: A Bold Choice That Pays Off
According to experts, copper-colored floors are far from the norm. Most families lean toward natural tones like wood, metal, grey, or beige to showcase their floors. But the Giles’ gleaming penny floor stands out, and it turns out to be easy to maintain: smooth, shiny, and requiring little more than a mop to keep it sparkling. The real surprise? It’s warmer than ceramic tile—a twist no one predicted, but thoroughly welcomed by bare feet on chilly Shropshire mornings.
So, if you’re thinking about livening up your home and have plenty of patience—and enough pennies tucked away—maybe you’ll be paving the way for the next quirky internet trend. Just remember: what looks good online, might just look ten times better in your own kitchen.
John is a curious mind who loves to write about diverse topics. Passionate about sharing his thoughts and perspectives, he enjoys sparking conversations and encouraging discovery. For him, every subject is an invitation to discuss and learn.
