Knowledge Builders

what is the purpose of a toe kick

by Dr. Emely Wunsch II Published 2 years ago Updated 1 year ago
image

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.Feb 11, 2017

What is the purpose of a toe kick in a kitchen?

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.

Why is the toe kick space in base cabinets important?

The importance of the toe kick space in base cabinets holds for cabinets in other locations, as well--such as bathrooms, laundries and home offices. 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.

What is the standard size of a toe kick?

A standard toe kick has a height of 3.5 inches up to a maximum of 4 inches. The standard depth (distance from the kitchen base cabinet to the toe kick board) is 3 inches. Toe kickboards can be as long as 9 feet and will be cut down to size o-site to fit the kitchen cabinets. What is a Toe Kick?

What is toe kick molding for cabinets?

What is toe kick molding? Toe kick molding is a piece of trim that matches your cabinets, and is used to hide the seams and gaps between the cabinets and the floor. When you're installing base cabinets, shims are inserted to bring all the boxes level and plumb.

What is the toe kick space in a kitchen?

What is a toe kick?

How deep is a toe kick?

What is the study of human efficiency and comfort in a working or living environment?

Do you need toe kicks for cabinetry?

Who is Chris Adams?

See 3 more

About this website

image

Why do you need toe kick?

Why Would I Need A Toe Kick Molding? 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.

How does a toe kick work?

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?

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.

Do kitchen cabinets have to have toe kicks?

Although not mandated by building codes, manufacturers and tradespeople use them as a design standard. As a result, toe kicks are standard on practically every factory-built cabinet, and custom kitchen cabinets makers always use conventional toe kick shapes and sizes.

How far back should a toe kick be?

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.

How far in should a toe kick be?

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.

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.

Why is there no toe kick in soccer?

Growth plate injury can also result from jarring as the toe hits the ball. If, as often happens with young soccer players, your child misses their aim and ends up kicking thin air, toe-kicking may result in strained muscles when there is, unexpectedly, no resistance to their foot's swing.

Why do cabinets have a space at the bottom?

Toe spaces can provide space for heat and air registers, as well as ductwork to a central system, or even for installation of individual toe space heaters. The blowers in toe-space heaters tend to be noisy, so research the options before completing the kitchen cabinet plan.

Why don t kitchen cabinets go all the way to the ceiling?

According to Wolf Home Products, the main factor why cabinets don't reach the ceiling is because of the preferred appearance. Some people think that too many cabinets can make a space look overly crowded or cluttered.

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.

What color should a toe kick be in a kitchen?

blackTo avoid standing out, most toe kicks are painted either black the same color as the cabinets. They are there to serve a practical purpose, after all.

Do toe kicks go on after flooring?

It's also important to note that, if you're including toe kick drawers in your kitchen design, put flooring down first to ensure that the bottom drawers can function properly.

What kind of wood is used for toe kicks?

The most common materials used for making toe kicks are laminated wood and paint-grade ¾-inch plywood. For support blocks, you can use cedar shims or plywood blocks.

What is behind a cabinet toe kick?

A toe kick is the area between the base cabinet and the floor. It is also referred to as the toe space. 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.

How do you do a toe kick in soccer?

Kick towards the ball with your toes pointed at the ground. Swing your leg straight forward at the hip and keep your knee bent in a V-shape. Keep your toes pointed at the ground, not at the ball. Look at the ball as you kick towards it. Don't lift up your head until after you kick it.

Do your toe kicks match your cabinets?

In my previous kitchen the cabinets were oak and the toe kicks were painted black. The floor was linoleum. My cabinets are now cream and the toe kicks match.

Attaching Toe kicks to cabinets - DoItYourself.com

Designing Kitchens and Bathrooms - Attaching Toe kicks to cabinets - What is the best way to attach the toe kick to new cabinets? I am new at this and I finally have all my cabinets installed, but want to make sure that I attached the toe kick the right way. Any help would be appreciated.

Flush Toe Kick Vs Recessed Toe Kick: Which Is Right For My Cabinet?

Cabinets always have a kick at the bottom, and choosing between recessed and flushed toe kicks can be tough. Flush toe kicks are better if you want one that is flush to the floor, whereas recessed toe kicks allow room for your feet. The decision ultimately comes down to taste, so follow along as we compare recessed toe kicks and flush toe kicks.

Kitchen Cabinet Toe Kick Dimensions - Designing Idea

When building or renovating a kitchen, all measurements of all kitchen elements should be determined. It is the same with a kitchen cabinet toe kick.Most people are not familiar with this cabinet feature, but it’s been a staple in kitchen cabinet designs for a long time.

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.

Understanding Kitchen Toe Kick

The toe kick is a great way to provide stability and style for your cabinets. A simple detail, but one that can make all of the difference in how well they’re received by homeowners! The toe kick on your kitchen cabinets may seem like an insignificant design detail, but it’s actually a helpful ergonomic feature.

Toe Kick Height

One question we get a lot is what is a perfect toe kick height? The 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.

Cabinets Without Toe Kick

Well – maybe you prefer how your cabinets look without toe kick. That’s absolutely okay! You don’t need a toe kick in your kitchen, it all comes down to preferences. If you’re remodeling or building a new kitchen, you can leave it out and save yourself some money. Toe kicks are nice to have, but they’re not essential.

Conclusion

If you’re still unsure of whether or not your space needs a toe kick, we hope this blog has helped. If you decide that you need a toe kick, check out this one at Nelson Cabinetry.

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.

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.

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.

Do you need a toe kick for cabinets?

Toe kick for cabinets is a personal choice, as we discussed its purpose is only to provide space for your feet to rest in the cabinet section. It’s all about your comfort, having toe kicks for kitchen and bathroom cabinets is a great thing.

What is The Best Toe Kick Dimension?

The best toe kick dimension is usually standardized at 3 1/2 to 4 inches in height, and 3 inches deep. There is no need to have 4 inches more dimension height, 4 inches height is maxim good height for feet and design, and there is rarely any reason to alter this.

Do All Cabinets Have Toe Kicks?

Not all cabinets have toe kicks, it varies on the model of the cabinet. If you’re going to build a custom one, adding toe kicks is your favor. The cabinet makers put a toe kick. The market has many options and additions, so a customer has many options to choose what he/she wants to have in their cabinet.

Can you remove the kitchen cabinet toe kick?

You can remove the kitchen cabinet Toe Kick yourself also, you just need to have a claw hammer and a pry bar to complete;y remove it. Just follow simple steps for removing kitchen cabinets toe kicks. It becomes to remove toe kicks when we remodel cabinets base or remodeling flooring.

What is toe kick molding?

Toe kick molding is a piece of trim that matches your cabinets, and is used to hide the seams and gaps between the cabinets and the floor.

What is the hole in the kitchen vent?

Typically, a hole is cut into the toe kick to allow the heat to escape into the room. A short register plate covers up the hole and prevents debris from getting inside.

How tall is a roomba toe kick?

The standard height of a toe kick is 3 ½", although you can go up to 4" without losing much space in the cabinet above. I went with 4" tall toe kicks simply because our Roomba tends to get stuck under anything shorter!

How deep should a toe kick be?

The standard depth of a toe kick is 3", which is what you'll find on most commercially available cabinets. You can go deeper if you have big feet that need extra space, but you shouldn't go less than that.

What are Ikea feet?

IKEA cabinets use feet under the cabinet box, which are easy to adjust to accommodate uneven floors. The feet come with little clips to attach the toe kick once you've cut it to size. The video below shows you exactly how to install it!

How high do you add toe kicks?

For integrated toe kicks, you'll need to add 3 ½" - 4" to the height of the side pieces. Then cut a notch in the lower front corner to create the recessed area. The video below shows you how to use a jigsaw to complete this step.

Where is the kick in the kitchen?

At the bottom of every base cabinet in your kitchen or bathroom, you'll notice a recessed area between the bottom of the door and the floor. This area is called a toe kick, and it's an ergonomic feature to make it more comfortable to work at the countertop or sink.

What is a toe kick saw?

The primary use for toe-kick saws is for cutting through flooring underneath a cabinet overhang near the floor, called a toe-kick. The small blade on a toe-kick saw juts out from the side of the unit so that it can fit where a normal saw cannot.

Why do contractors use toe kick saws?

Because it is required to remove flooring under toe-kicks and since it is more than capable of cutting through wood or tile , many contractors use toe-kick saws for all flooring removal. Advertisement.

How to cut concrete with a saw?

Press in and hold the safety button and the trigger at the same time. When the motor starts to work, release the safety button. When the motor reaches full speed, tilt the saw to the right until it reaches the depth you need for the cut. Slowly push the saw forward to complete the cut. If you hear a grinding sound, the saw blade has contacted the concrete. Raise the blade by tilting the unit to the left.

Where is the safety button on a scuba diver?

Place your left hand on the forward handle and your right hand on the rear handle, near the trigger. The thumb of your right hand should be on the safety button on the side of the handle.

Can you operate a saw if there is damage to the cord?

Do not operate the saw if there is any visible damage to the cord, blade or unit itself.

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 ...

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.

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 ...

What is the study of human efficiency and comfort in a working or living environment?

A Matter of Ergonomics . Ergonomics is the study of human efficiency and comfort in a working or living environment. Ergonomics is of great concern in the workplace, but it is also an issue in residential construction, where dozens of different design standards are aimed at making the rooms of a home more comfortable and safer for family members.

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.

Who is Chris Adams?

Illustration of a base cabinet toe kick. Chris Adams is a human factors engineer who writes about ergonomics and has 11 years of experience in the field.

image

1.What Is the Purpose of a Cabinet Toe Kick? - ThoughtCo

Url:https://www.thoughtco.com/what-is-a-toe-kick-for-1206601

24 hours ago  · The toe kick is a great way to provide stability and style for your cabinets. A simple detail, but one that can make all of the difference in how well they’re received by …

2.What is a Toe Kick and Do You Need One in the Kitchen …

Url:https://nelsonkb.com/what-is-a-toe-kick-and-do-you-need-one-in-the-kitchen/

11 hours ago  · 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 …

3.Guide to Standard Toe Kick Dimensions - Homenish

Url:https://www.homenish.com/toe-kick-dimensions/

11 hours ago 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 Skip to content

4.Why Do Kitchen Cabinets Have Toe Kicks? (Explained)

Url:https://homestuffer.com/why-do-kitchen-cabinets-have-toe-kicks/

35 hours ago  · Here’s What is Purpose of Cabinets Toe Kicks: Cabinets have toe kicks for providing space to stand perfectly near cabinets, and a person can put the foot finger in …

5.Cabinet Toe Kicks - Dimensions, Options & Installation

Url:https://www.thehandymansdaughter.com/cabinet-toe-kicks/

22 hours ago  · This area is called a toe kick, and it's an ergonomic feature to make it more comfortable to work at the countertop or sink. It gives you a spot to slide your toes …

6.How to Use a Toe-Kick Saw | eHow

Url:https://www.ehow.com/how_6614940_use-toe_kick-saw.html

1 hours ago  · 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. Does outdoor kitchen need toe …

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9