- Totally with you on the under-cabinet lights—nothing like trying to dice onions in a cave to make you appreciate them.
- I’ll admit, I’m a sucker for dimmable options. Mood lighting for midnight snacks? Yes, please.
- Have you ever tried the ones with motion sensors? I put those in a client’s kitchen and now I kinda want them everywhere... even in the fridge.
- Curious—do you think toe-kick lighting is worth it, or just overkill? I’ve seen it look amazing, but sometimes it feels like runway lights for your Cheerios.
Toe-Kick Lighting: Worth It or Not?
I get the appeal of toe-kick lighting—looks cool in photos, and I’ve seen it done well in a few higher-end kitchens. But honestly, for most folks trying to keep costs down, it’s probably not where I’d put my money first. Here’s how I look at it:
1. Prioritize function. Under-cabinet lights are a must for me—makes a huge difference for actual cooking and prep work.
2. Dimmable is great, but you can get affordable plug-in dimmers or smart bulbs now, so you don’t have to go all-out on fancy systems.
3. Motion sensors sound fun, but I tried them in my pantry and half the time they’d go off when I didn’t want them to. Maybe better for hallways or closets.
As for toe-kick lighting... unless you’re really into the “show kitchen” vibe or need nightlights for little kids, I’d skip it. The effect is subtle, but the install isn’t always cheap, and sometimes it just ends up highlighting dust bunnies under the cabinets. If you’re on a budget, those dollars go further elsewhere.
I get where you’re coming from, but I actually think toe-kick lighting can be more than just a “show kitchen” thing. When I did my reno, I put in a soft LED strip on a dimmer, and it’s been surprisingly practical—late-night snack runs don’t wake everyone up, and it’s easier on the eyes than flipping on the main lights. Yeah, it does show dust sometimes, but honestly, that just motivates me to clean under there more often... Is it essential? Probably not. But if you’re already redoing floors or cabinets, adding it isn’t always that big of a jump in cost.
If You Had to Redo Your Kitchen Lights, What Would You Pick?
- Toe-kick lighting looks cool, but honestly, I skipped it when we did our kitchen. Main reason? Cost adds up fast, especially if you’re already stretching the budget on cabinets and appliances.
- For me, under-cabinet LEDs were a better bang for the buck. They light up the counters where I actually prep food, and you can get decent plug-in strips for cheap.
- Overhead lighting: I went with a couple of flush-mount LEDs. Not fancy, but they’re bright and energy efficient. No regrets there.
- I get the appeal of toe-kick lights for late-night trips, but a $10 nightlight in an outlet does the same job for way less.
- Dust is a pain. I barely keep up with what’s visible, let alone under the cabinets...
If I had to do it again, I’d still skip toe-kick lights unless I had extra cash to burn. Just my two cents—sometimes simple is best.
- I’m with you on skipping the toe-kick lights. They look slick in photos, but in real life? More stuff to clean and more energy use for not much payoff.
- Under-cabinet LEDs are where it’s at—super practical, way less waste, and you can get dimmable ones now that don’t suck up much power.
- If I had to redo mine, I’d go all-in on efficient LEDs (warm color temp, not those harsh blue ones), and maybe a solar tube if there’s roof access. Natural light beats any fixture for energy savings.
- Honestly, the “fancy” lighting trends seem like overkill unless you’re doing it for resale value or just want a showpiece kitchen. Simple works, and it’s easier to maintain...and that matters more than people think.
