Toe Kick
A toe kick is the recessed strip at the bottom of a base cabinet, set back from the front. It gives your toes room to tuck in while you stand at the counter, so you can work close to the cabinet without leaning forward or stubbing your feet.
Most toe kicks are around 3 to 4 inches high and about 3 inches deep, and the industry standard sets a minimum of roughly 2 inches deep and 3 inches high. They are often built as a separate platform or base that the cabinets sit on, so the cabinets can be levelled on uneven floors, and then covered with a finished toe kick board, usually matching the cabinet.
Toe kicks can be customized. A toe kick can be finished in the same material as the doors, in a contrasting colour or metal, or replaced by a decorative furniture base or feet for a furniture-style look. The toe kick is also a handy spot for a toe-kick drawer (a shallow, hidden drawer), a vent or lighting.
Keep in mind that the kick takes the brunt of mops, vacuums and wet floors, so a durable, moisture-resistant material is worth it. A finished toe kick that is cut tightly to the floor, often with scribe trim, helps the whole run look built-in.
See toe kicks and bases done right in our custom kitchens in Toronto.