Building a Home Bedroom Storage & Closet

Toe-kicks in a closet?

4 years ago

last modified: 4 years ago

My closet builder suggested toe-kicks in the closet around the perimeter (not in an island) which sounded like a good idea. But after looking at tons of photos I've noticed that you rarely ever see toe-kicks in closets. Usually you there is a base trim that is flush and not recessed. Is there a reason that is more common in closets than toe-kicks?

I realize that toe-kicks are most necessary when you are standing at a counter or sink, but kitchens still have toe-kicks on walls that are all cabinets with no sink/counter. So it's not an absolute.

The only reasons I can think of for not having a toe-kick in a closet are that it is more expensive to install (I have no idea if that is the case) so people don't do it since it is not absolutely necessary. Or people prefer the look of a flush base rather than recessed base. Is there some other reason?

I read this in a blog on a closet website which I found interesting "You have a contemporary home design theme and like the ‘floating on air’ look, but want a floor mounted system. This can be accomplished in a number of ways, such as a recessed toe kick with black molding." I have a contemporary home and like floating features, but this sounds to me like it might look cheap. Thoughts about this option?

Featured Answer

bpath

4 years ago

I can picture toekicks in a closet becoming the hiding place for earring backs and dust bunnies.

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Comments (10)

qam999
4 years ago
A toekick at a counter is functional, as it allows comfortable standing at the counter. Making toekicks uniform around a kitchen, even where they're not strictly needed, adds a uniform appearance.

A toekick in a closet wall can't be functional in the same way....you'll never actually put your toes in it, right? Maybe it looks better.....that's up to you.
User
4 years ago
Are there counters around the perimeter of the closet and would you stand at them?
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lyfia
4 years ago
Are you talking about toekicks on the wall or are you talking about them on a closet system? In a wall I see no reason whatsover as you won't be trying to stand by the wall. If it is a closet system it might be useful as you will be standing in front of it and looking at things.
worthy
4 years ago
If it's good enough for Khloe, it's good enough for me!

Kloe Khardasian in the closet.
uscpsycho
Original Author
4 years ago
On the short wall there is a 30" wide bank of drawers with a counter. I probably won't stand at that counter other than when using the drawers or accessing the cabinets above but I am inclined to have a toe-kick there. Maybe I'll end up folding clothes on the counter or something. The long walls do not have drawers, cabinets or counters. On those walls, is there any good reason to have toe-kicks vs flush base in the absence of counters? That's my question, I know there is no functional need for toe-kicks there, but is there some other non-functional reason for one vs the other? The vast majority of closets have a flush base. Why?

Khloe's toe-kicks are at a counter where you must have them. Can't tell in that photo if she has them on the cabinets against the wall. I'm curious.

Lyfia - I won't need toe-kicks when looking at or accessing things in my closet because my closets are 19" deep so hangers will slightly protrude. There are shelves too, but you never get so close to shelves that your face is against them, that's when you need toe-kicks. At a counter your body is right up against the cabinet so you need room for your toes, that doesn't happen with wall shelves or hangers.

I previously talked to the builder about creating a floating look by deeply recessing the toe-kicks rather than painting them black as that blog suggested and I feel myself starting to lean that way.
worthy
4 years ago
last modified: 4 years ago
Can't tell in that photo if she has them on the cabinets against the wall

Not evidently.

However, another featured master closet in the AD piece does.

Where Tommy Hilfiger keeps his clothes.
uscpsycho thanked worthy
lyfia
4 years ago
last modified: 4 years ago
" Lyfia - I won't need toe-kicks when looking at or accessing things in my closet because my closets are 19" deep so hangers will slightly protrude. There are shelves too, but you never get so close to shelves that your face is against them, that's when you need toe-kicks. At a counter your body is right up against the cabinet so you need room for your toes, that doesn't happen with wall shelves or hangers. "

So what is your question then? Are you talking about baseboards?
K R
4 years ago
Worthy - don’t you mean her “kloset”?
ILoveRed
4 years ago
my cabinetmakers built our master closet and we don’t have toe kicks. Just base trim. We each have a bank of drawers and there is a toe-kick valance there. Our other bedroom closets have closet “systems”. No toe kicks there either.