Under-cabinet lighting was a total game changer for me too—didn't realize how much I needed it until I had it installed. Toe-kick lighting though...I dunno, sounds kinda fancy at first, but honestly, it's pretty handy. I stayed at an Airbnb once that had it, and midnight fridge raids felt like sneaking around a sci-fi movie set. Now I'm seriously considering adding it to my own kitchen remodel plans. Guess I'm joining the spaceship kitchen club...
Under-cabinet lighting really is underrated—I installed some in my old Victorian kitchen, and it's amazing how it highlights the vintage tile backsplash. Toe-kick lighting though...sounds cool, but I'm torn. Would it clash with a more historic vibe? I mean, sneaking around a sci-fi set sounds fun, but I'm not sure my creaky hardwood floors would appreciate the futuristic upgrade. Has anyone tried blending modern lighting like that into an older home's aesthetic? Curious how it turned out...
I totally get the hesitation about toe-kick lighting in an older home. I've done a few remodels on historic houses, and honestly, subtlety is key. If you go for it, maybe stick to warmer, dimmable LEDs rather than bright whites or colors—keeps it cozy and less spaceship-y. Also, consider hiding the strips really well so you only see the glow, not the fixture itself. Done right, it can actually complement vintage features without feeling out of place...but yeah, tread lightly with the sci-fi vibes.
"maybe stick to warmer, dimmable LEDs rather than bright whites or colors—keeps it cozy and less spaceship-y."
Good point about the warmer LEDs. I'm still on the fence about toe-kick lighting in general though...does it actually help practically, or is it mostly just aesthetic? Like, does it make late-night snack runs easier without turning on overhead lights? Curious if anyone's found it genuinely useful day-to-day or if it's more of a "looks cool but rarely used" kinda thing.
I installed toe-kick lighting in our kitchen about a year ago, and honestly, it's been a mixed bag. Practically speaking, it does help a bit for those midnight fridge raids—just enough glow to navigate without waking everyone up with the overhead lights. But realistically, I find myself using my phone flashlight half the time anyway out of habit.
Aesthetically though, it's pretty nice. Gives the kitchen a subtle, upscale feel at night, especially if you're entertaining or just winding down after dinner. But if you're looking purely for practicality, under-cabinet lighting might be more useful overall. It illuminates your workspace directly, which is handy when prepping food or cleaning up.
One thing I'd consider: how often do you actually wander into the kitchen at night? If it's frequent, toe-kick lighting might be worth it. Otherwise, it could end up being one of those "nice-to-have-but-rarely-used" features.
Has anyone tried motion-sensor toe-kick lights? Wondering if that might boost their practical value...
