I had the same choice because my cabinets are a more euro style. My cabinet designer said the more style appropriate look is to have the panels come down to the floor w/ no notch.i chose to notch them because of the gross stuff catching aspect.

Anita

I'm going with Ikea cabinets and plan to notch the end panels, and apply doors to the end panels as well, so it will look like cabinet doors running around it.

I don't have any pictures that show it, but in my kitchen anywhere there is an end of run of lower cabinets, there is a finished end panel that ends at the same height above the floor as the doors. Beneath the end panel is a toekick set back the same amount as the one on the front of the cabinets.

So basically they have toe kick spaces all the way around.

My end panels go all the way to the floor, but were designed to be that way (they are solid wood). I don't think it would look quite right with normal end panels. It is a little bit harder to sweep up crumbs, but no worse than any other inside corner in a regular toekick.
{{!gwi}}From kitchen remodel

From a design perspective, I think the end panel without the toekick notch looks much more finished--more of a furniture look. If it's an end that will be seen a lot, I'd definitely go without the notch. If it's an end near an outside door, where nobody would be looking down at it, it wouldn't matter as much.

We insisted on that kind of end panels for our island, because the drawings without them made the island seem so visually top heavy to me. Since the island is the visual focal point in our kitchen, I'm really, really glad we did. As daki said, it's no harder to clean than any other corner in the toekick, so we traded what we consider much improved aesthetics for a negligible sacrifice in function.

THe finished panel to the floor is more durable than aftermarket edge banding, and it looks more finished. It's what I use by default on the ends of runs.

Live_wire_oak, Ikea end panels are veneer over particle board. Aside from the gunk factor, I'm thinking they might get banged up and frayed looking over time if I don't notch.

So I'm not sure the materials I'm working with can stand up to the preferred aesthetic.

This thread seems to be about as definitive as the cup pull one. Still, thanks for the input, everyone, as it's given me more to think about.

We are also using Ikea cabinets. On the island and on the bank of base cabinetry that does not reach the walls, we are using doors rather than cover panels. I like the heavier look of the doors and the "furniture" feeling they create.

On the pantry cabinets and the banquette we are building from fridge cabinets, we are using furniture legs and leaving an open space underneath - no toekick.

This looks nice in a traditionally styled kitchen, but not so great in a smooth, sleek ultra-modern room. If you are doing modern, definitely use the toekick.

To get back to your original question...I think that it looks nice when a flat end panel reaches the floor. I don't personally think that cutting out the toekick is attractive. I also doubt that the edgebanding will last any appreciable length of time.

Because the surface is flat and resembles the side of the cabinet frame, when you see the end panel echoing the silhouette of the cabinet the mind jumps to the conclusion that it is unfinished and waiting for a cabinet or finishing panel to be attached.

In the end though - it's a minor thing and very subjective. You need to proceed with what you believe looks good and will bring you pleasure when you look at it each day. :)