When I was making over our laundry room (see the full reveal here), I knew I wanted to elevate the cabinets without blowing the budget. I chose stock cabinets from Home Depot, which are affordable and functional—but let’s be honest, they can feel a little plain.
One of my favorite ways to instantly upgrade basic cabinetry is by adding decorative toe kicks. This simple DIY kitchen cabinet detail makes stock cabinets look custom and high-end, and the best part? You can do it for very little cost. Below, I’m walking you through exactly how I added decorative toe kicks to our laundry room cabinets—and you can even grab my template to make it easy.
Step 1: Draw Your Toe Kick Design
Before cutting anything, spend a little time gathering inspiration. Pinterest is a great place to search for decorative toe kicks, furniture-style cabinet bases, or custom cabinetry details.
Once you have an idea of the shape you like, it’s time to draw your design. I used 1x6x8 primed trim boards, cut down to size based on the measurement from the floor to the bottom of the cabinet face (where the recessed toe kick sits).
To perfect the design, I first cut paper to the same size as my wood boards and experimented with different shapes. I used:
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A bowl to trace the curved “feet”
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A 1×2 to visualize the straight valance (the connector between the feet)
Once I landed on a shape I loved, I cut it out of paper to create a template (download below!). Using a template ensures that every toe kick looks consistent, which is key for a polished, professional result.
Step 2: Cut the Decorative Shape
Start by cutting each board to length using a table saw or circular saw. Next, clamp the wood securely to sawhorses and use a jigsaw to carefully cut along your traced lines.
For a cleaner install, I chose to cut one continuous piece for areas like the sink base cabinet and pantry cabinet. While it looks like multiple toe kicks, it’s actually one board—this avoids seams and extra wood filler later.
I also kept the feet and valance together on one piece of wood. If you’re worried about cutting straight lines, you can absolutely cut the feet separately and assemble everything during installation instead.
Step 3: Attach the Toe Kicks to the Cabinets
Apply wood glue along the edge of the trim where it will attach to the cabinet. I like to run a bead of glue along the full length, then smooth it out with my finger so there’s an even, thin layer.
Clamp the piece in place, then secure it with a few brad nails using a nail gun. The glue does most of the work, but the nails add extra strength and hold everything steady while it dries.
Step 4: Fill Seams and Sand Smooth
Use wood filler to patch any seams where pieces meet. I love DryDex color-changing wood filler because it makes it easy to know when it’s ready to sand.
Once dry, sand everything smooth. A good rule of thumb: if it feels smooth to the touch, it will look smooth once painted.
Step 5: Prime and Paint
Finish your decorative toe kicks by priming and painting them to match your cabinets. For the best results on cabinetry, I recommend:
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BIN Primer for strong adhesion
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Sherwin-Williams Emerald Urethane Trim Enamel for a durable, smooth finish
I have a full blog post dedicated to painting cabinets if you want more detailed tips—be sure to check that out here.
Final Thoughts
Adding decorative toe kicks is one of those small DIY kitchen cabinet upgrades that makes a huge impact. It’s an easy, budget-friendly way to make stock cabinets look custom, especially in spaces like laundry rooms, mudrooms, or bathrooms.
If you try this project, I’d love to see it—and don’t forget to grab the template to make the process even easier.
FAQ Section
What are decorative toe kicks?
Decorative toe kicks are trim details added to the recessed area at the bottom of cabinets. They give stock cabinets a furniture-style, custom look without the cost of custom cabinetry.
Can you add decorative toe kicks to stock cabinets?
Yes! Decorative toe kicks are an easy DIY upgrade for stock cabinets from stores like Home Depot. With basic tools and trim boards, you can achieve a high-end look on a budget.
What wood should I use for decorative toe kicks?
Primed trim boards work well for decorative toe kicks, especially in laundry rooms or kitchens. They’re easy to cut, smooth to paint, and resist minor moisture when properly primed and painted.
Do decorative toe kicks work in laundry rooms?
Absolutely. Decorative toe kicks are a great way to elevate laundry room cabinets, especially when paired with painted cabinetry, polished hardware, and a cohesive color palette.
Should toe kicks be painted the same color as cabinets?
For a seamless, custom look, painting toe kicks the same color as your cabinets works best. In this space, the cool blue, icy blue cabinet color enhances the overall glacier aesthetic.
Is this a beginner-friendly DIY project?
Yes. This project is approachable for beginners with basic tools like a jigsaw and brad nailer. Using a template helps ensure clean, consistent results.
