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.
Toe kicks are a recessed area at the bottom of base cabinets that make it more comfortable for you to work at your kitchen counter. It makes room for your toes, letting you stand closer to the counter without hitting your feet on the cabinet or standing in awkward positions.
So, what's the difference? Well, for starters, furniture base molding does not recede like toe-kick molding does. This means there is no extra toe room provided by furniture base molding. Additionally, furniture base molding is generally more decorative than its counterpart.
In its simplest definition, a cabinet toe kick is the recessed area at the bottom of your built-in kitchen or bathroom cabinets that provides a foot space when you're working at the cabinet. However, they are more than just a workspace convenience.
Typically, the ideal measurements for a toe kick are about 3 to 4 inches in height and 3 inches in depth. These dimensions are carefully chosen to provide sufficient space for your toes when standing close to the counter, ensuring you don't discomfort bump into the cabinetry.
Standard Dimensions for Toe Kicks
Toe-kick depths greater than 3 inches do not hurt the effectiveness of the toe kick, but depths less than 3 inches should usually be avoided, as they interfere with ergonomic effectiveness. The optimal height for a toe kick is 4 inches, and heights up to 4 inches are common.
What is a decorative toe? Most clients who decide against the traditional toe kick choose a decorative toe; this is a decorative piece of molding attached to your base cabinets. It still allows open space for your feet and creates a “furniture feel” to your cabinetry.
Without a toe kick, crumbs, dirt, and debris can accumulate at the base of the cabinets, making it challenging to clean. A toe kick ensures that the area under the cabinets remains clean and free of debris, making it easy to maintain a hygienic kitchen.
A kick space, also known as a toe kick or toe space, is recessed space at the base of most floor-mounted kitchen cabinets.
The molding on top of kitchen cabinets is called crown molding. It is available in various styles and sizes to fit any design. This molding is often paired with starter/riser molding.
A toe kick covers the space that exists between the bottom of the cabinets and the floor. It usually matches the materials of your kitchen cabinets and acts as a filler piece covering the cabinet supports.
The alternative is a plinth skirting that creates a solid base at floor level.
A toe kick is a notch-shaped indentation in a base cabinet's front. It has a foot recess so you can get close to the counter. This improves balance and decreases strain from reaching across a countertop.
In a wall-mounted closet, there's no need for base molding or a toe kick at the bottom. This leaves about 3-4” of additional space for longer shirts, dresses, coats, and anything else that needs a little extra hanging room.
If you order a flush toe, there is no toe notch in the cabinet side, the side of the cabinet goes to floor as well.
One popular option for under cabinet trim is toe kick molding. This type of molding is installed along the bottom of your cabinets, and it gives the illusion of them being flush with the floor. It can be made from a variety of materials, such as wood, foam, or PVC.
Plinths are sometimes referred to as a kick board or kick plate and are used to bridge the gap between the floor and the bottom of your cabinets to hide away cabinet legs, cables, and pipes, leaving your kitchen to look sleek and tidy.
What is Toe Kick Trim or Molding? Showplace toe kick trim is a strip of veneered plywood that is installed at the base of your cabinets – after they are installed in your home – where they meet the floor. It is 4-1/2 inches high and 1/4 inch thick.
The introduction of instep kicking (known as the "soccer-style kick") to the game in the 1960s, along with a rule change in 1977 banning the special shoe (one of several rules introduced to curb the influence of kickers in the game), eventually led to the end of the use of toe kicks in American and Canadian football.
Risers are the boards that form the vertical face of each step. This creates the "toe kick" area between the stair treads. Standard riser sizes include 36", 42" and 48" lengths.*
The most common styles are standard (recessed), flush mount, arched valance, or furniture feet.
PL Adhesive, or Silicone Adhesive is a good option, and you can apply this adhesive with a caulking gun. This adhesive takes 24 hours to cure, so also have some blue painter's tape on hand that can hold the toe kick firmly onto your cabinets while it dries.
This was pretty easy because I did it before installing the cabinets, but it's theoretically possible to retrofit an existing cabinet. I found that a drawer designed for a 30-inch cabinet fits perfectly under a 36-inch cabinets with toekick boards installed onto the feet underneath.
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.