
The recessed toe kick is a toe kick that leaves a few inches on the bottom of the cabinets, for your feet and toes. I prefer a recessed toe kick, over a flush toe kick, but that is my personal preference. Having that extra room for your feet, allows you to prepare food, or work on top of a cabinet without getting your toes all scrunched up.
What is a recessed toe kick for kitchen cabinets?
The recessed toe kick is a toe kick that leaves a few inches on the bottom of the cabinets, for your feet and toes. I prefer a recessed toe kick, over a flush toe kick, but that is my personal preference. Having that extra room for your feet, allows you to prepare food, or work on top of a cabinet without getting your toes all scrunched up.
What is a “toe kick”?
What is a Toe Kick? A toe kick is the area between the base cabinet and the floor.
What is the difference between a flush and recessed toe kick?
A toe kick is located at the bottom of the cabinet, where the cabinet meets the floor. The flushed toe kick is flush to the flooring. The Recessed toe kick, leaves space underneath for your feet. The recessed toe kick can be decorative or just a small open space. The recessed toe kick leaves room for your feet underneath the cabinet.
What is toetoe kick molding?
Toe kick molding provides the same finished look to the back of the toe kick area as the rest of the cabinets. It also serves to protect the cabinet bases from damage from dropped objects, spilled food and liquids and, well, kicks from people’s toes.

Do you need a toe kick for kitchen cabinets?
Toe kick spaces are an important element of kitchen design. In fact, any cabinet that you would stand in front of should have one. The purpose of a toe kick is to create a recess for your feet, which allows you to stand closer to the countertop or workspace more comfortably.
What is a toe kick in a kitchen?
The toe kick is the recessed space at the bottom of your base cabinets; a few inches of space that enable your feet to rest comfortably under a small portion of your cabinetry.
What is standard for toe kick on kitchen cabinets?
Toe Kick. Below the base cabinet, there is a recessed area known as the toe kick. It typically measures 3 inches in height and the depth is approximately 3.5 – 4 inches. The toe kick is an ergonomic feature which places countertops and cabinets within arm's length.
Why do people have toe kick cabinets?
A toe kick is a notch-shaped recess at the bottom front of a base cabinet. It provides a recess for your feet so you can get slightly closes to the countertop. This improves your balance,and also reduces the fatigue that would result if you were forced to reach across a countertop to work.
What's another word for toe kick?
A kick space, also known as a toe kick or toe space, is recessed space at the base of most floor-mounted kitchen cabinets.
How high is a standard toe kick?
3-4.5 inchesThe optimal height for a toe kick is 3-4.5 inches, but it's not uncommon to see toe kicks over 5 inches as well. This provides an adequate recess to stand comfortably and maintain balance while working at a countertop, without sacrificing any visibility or workspace.
Do you put flooring under kitchen cabinets?
Typically Cabinets Come Before Flooring. In most cases, given standard flooring heights, you will install the cabinets before the floor covering.
Should toe kick match cabinets or floor?
To avoid standing out, most toe kicks are painted either black the same color as the cabinets.
How far is the toe kick from the wall?
The standard toe kick height is 3.5″ but increasing doesn't hurt if you want taller kitchen cabinets.
Why are cabinets recessed at the bottom?
A toe kick is the recessed space on a lower cabinet that offers room for – you guessed it – your toes. These few inches enable your feet to rest comfortably under a small section of the cabinet, allowing you to get closer to the countertop without having to hunch over.
Are toe kick drawers worth it?
Toe-kick drawers aren't just a cool dinner party trick (although, by all means, go for it). Adding a few to your kitchen cabinet design will give you twice the amount of space for storing clunky items like pots and pans—without changing the layout whatsoever.
How do you install a toe kick in a kitchen?
0:562:01How to Install Toekick in your Kitchen (2021) - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd is easy to do apply the adhesive or tape to the back of the toe kick. And press the toe kickMoreAnd is easy to do apply the adhesive or tape to the back of the toe kick. And press the toe kick into place then hold it for a few seconds while the adhesive. Sets.
What is a toe kick under the sink?
A toe kick is the recessed area at the bottom of a base cabinet. Toe kicks are built into bathroom vanities and kitchen cabinets to allow homeowners to be more comfortable as they are working on the counter-top.
What can I use as a toe kick?
1:085:04How To Cover A Toe Kick With Baseboard On Cabinets - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipDone after i had my boards cut i used wood glue and my brad nailer to create an l shaped support forMoreDone after i had my boards cut i used wood glue and my brad nailer to create an l shaped support for my toe cake area.
What color should kitchen cabinet toe kick be?
In most kitchens the toe kick is either painted black or the same color as the cabinets, to make it as inconspicuous as possible.
What is a toe kick drawer?
A toe-kick drawer gets its name because it opens with a nudge of your toe. That space between your floor and lower cabinets is prime storage space. You could be storing items that you don't use often, extra beauty products, or even pet bowls to use later.
Why do people use toe kicks in kitchen cabinets?
Toe kicks are built into bathroom vanities and kitchen cabinets to allow homeowners to be more comfortable as they are working on the counter-top. The ergonomic design reduces the amount of space that is needed in order for a person to reach the work surface, which eases the amount of stress that is placed on the back and hips.
Where to put toe kicks in cabinet?
Homeowners can place their toes in the recessed place beneath the cabinet doors in order to have better balance as they are working. Toe kicks are available in wood, metal and plastic, and holes may be cut in them to allow space for vents.
How to use toe kick space?
The most popular way to use the space in a toe kick is to install slide-out drawers. These types of drawers typically ride on rollers rather than traditional drawer slides.
What is the toe kick on kitchen cabinets?
Many people don’t realize that nook under your kitchen cabinets is a vital part of kitchen cabinet design. Beyond being hard to clean, the toe kick is an ergonomic feature that makes your cabinets a better place to work.
Why do you kick your toes?
A toe kick eliminates these awkward positions or possible over-extension and makes your kitchen a more efficient and enjoyable place to work and cook.
How deep is a toe kick?
Toe kick dimensions are also traditionally 3 tp 3 ½ inches deep and high. These dimensions can vary depending on homeowner preference and needs. Consult with your home builder or cabinet maker for options on the dimensions of the toe kick on your cabinets.
Can a toe kick be used on unlevel floors?
If your kitchen suffers from unlevel floors, a te kick can make installation difficult. The toe kick supports the cabinet along its entire length. High low spots on the kitchen floor can make leveling a kitchen cabinet with a toe kick difficult.
Can you hide behind a toe kick?
A good custom cabinet builder may be able to create almost any kind of accessory to hide behind a toe kick. Remember that accessing these hidden storage areas may be difficult since the fronts will be recessed three inches under the face of the cabinet.
Are Toe Kicks required By Building Codes?
We know of no building code that requires toe kicks to be a part of a kitchen design. Adding toe kicks to kitchen cabinets is a traditional concept that most cabinet builders follow. There are some differences in designs that often mimic a furniture look but include a toe kick.
What is a toe kick?
A toe kick is a notch-shaped recess at the bottom front of a base cabinet. It provides a recess for your feet so you can get slightly closes to the countertop. This improves your balance,and also reduces the fatigue that would result if you were forced to reach across a countertop to work.
What is the toe kick space in a kitchen?
Apart from the kitchen work triangle , the toe kick space beneath base cabinets may be one of the most important ergonomic elements in your kitchen design. The importance of the toe kick space in base ...
How deep is a toe kick?
The toe kick is typically only 3 inches deep and about 3 1/2 inches high, yet it makes a huge difference in the comfort of using your countertop . Although toe kicks are not required by building ...
Do you need toe kicks for cabinetry?
Although toe kicks are not required by building codes, they are a traditional design standard followed by manufacturers and tradesmen. As a result, you will find toe kicks on virtually every factory-manufactured cabinet sold, and woodworkers or carpenters building custom cabinetry will always follow typical design standards for the shape and size of toe kicks in base cabinets.
What is a toe kick in kitchen design?
In kitchen design, a toe-kick is a recessed plinth at the base of your cabinets that gives them a ‘floating’ look. The alternative is a plinth skirting that creates a solid base at floor level.
Can you put a toe kick on a kitchen island?
A toe-kick can be incorporated into a kitchen island. (Image credit: Polly Eltes/Future) Gibson’s pro tip is to make sure that any skirting is finished in durable paint to withstand scuffs and chips from working in and cleaning your kitchen.
What is a toe kick?
Well … probably, yes. The toe kick is the recessed area between the base cabinets and the floor. It may seem like a silly little design element, but actually it’s essential for comfortable use of kitchen counters. It provides an area for your toes to go while you use the kitchen, allowing your legs and waist to be flush with the front of the cabinets, and the countertop. Without it, your feet would bump into the bottom of the cabinet and you’d have to stand back from the counter to work. Cabinet toe kick enables comfortable use of the entire depth of the counter.
What is toe kick molding?
Toe kick molding provides the same finished look to the back of the toe kick area as the rest of the cabinets. It also serves to protect the cabinet bases from damage from dropped objects, spilled food and liquids and, well, kicks from people’s toes.
Why don't cabinets come with finished toe kick?
An important step in base cabinet installation involves shimming the cabinets to make sure they’re all level at the top. This prevents anything from rolling in one direction, and provides the most stable surface for the counter to rest on. But those shims mean there might be a gap between the bottom of the cabinet, and the floor.
Can you trim cabinet toe?
Cabinet toe kickmolding to the rescue! Because it’s a separate piece, you can trim it to the exact shape you need, to make sure there’s no gap, and to ensure that your cabinets look like they were built into the house, not just placed on the floor like furniture.
Do kitchen cabinets kick?
Technically, yes. Cabinet toe kick is a cosmetic piece that gives your cabinets a finished and professional look. On the other hand, without it your kitchen cabinets will look unfinished. That’s not good news if you ever decide to sell the house or want your friends to stop asking if your remodel budget fell short.
What is a toe kick?
The purpose of a toe kick is to allow you to stand at the kitchen counter in a comfortable position. The toe kickboard will be recessed slightly, allowing you to stand close to the base cabinet without hitting your toes. Toe kicks also give kitchen base cabinets a more finished look and prevent people from being able to see underneath the cabinets. They create a custom feel so that the cabinets look like they were made for the space.
Where is the toe kick on a kitchen cabinet?
It goes directly from the floor to the bottom of the base cabinet itself and is usually adjoined to the legs of the cabinets to be held in place via brackets. The brackets are typically ones that click into place, which means the toe kick can be removed fairly easily if you need to access underneath your base cabinets, for example, to clean it or reach nearby pipes.
How deep should a toe kick be?
You should avoid making the depth of the toe kick any smaller than 3 inches because this will negatively affect your posture at the countertop and could also prevent you from standing close enough to the cabinets to be able to reach up into the wall cabinets.
How long is a toe kickboard?
Toe kickboards can come in lengths as long as 9 feet, and the board will be cut down to size on-site so that it fits perfectly underneath the kitchen cabinets. When assessing how much toe kick board you need, you should measure the total length across the bottom of your base units and then add 10% to make allowances for cutting. If you have a straight run of base cabinets that are longer in total than 9 feet, then you can get custom toe kick boards made in longer lengths, or you can have two kickboards joined together.
How deep should a kickboard be?
The standard depth of toe kick boards is 3 inches. This is the measurement from the front of the kitchen base cabinet back to where the toe kick board is installed. This means that when standing up against the cabinet, your feet have 3 inches of allowance where they can stand without accidentally stubbing toes. This depth isn’t just to keep your feet happy, but it actually allows you to stand in a natural posture while working at the kitchen countertops to avoid back pain. If your toe kickboards were flush with the base cabinets, you would have to stand further back from the cabinets when working at the counter, which would cause you to lean your upper body forward or hunch over your shoulders.
When designing a kitchen, do you need to understand the measurements of all the elements involved, including toe kick dimensions?
When designing a kitchen, you need to understand the measurements of all the elements involved, including toe kick dimensions. This is a small detail but can affect the cabinet design and the comfort for householders when standing at the kitchen counter.
Can you remove toe kick boards?
You can do this by having toe kick boards custom-made to a shorter height. You shouldn’t remove toe kick boards altogether because if your floor isn’t perfectly even, then the cabinet doors may not open. Toe kicks also provide clearance for cabinet doors so that they aren’t opening against the floor.
