Plinth Lights

What is a plinth light?

A plinth light is a small, low-level light set into the plinth (the kickboard) at the base of kitchen units, or into stair risers and the sides of an island. Plinth lighting throws a soft wash across the floor, which picks out the run of the units, adds a warm glow in the evening and helps you move around safely without the main lights on. Most are round or square LED fittings only a few millimetres proud of the kickboard, with a slim bezel for a tidy finish.

Plinth lights, kickboard lights and toe-kick lighting

You may see plinth lights called kickboard lights, or, in US listings, toe-kick lighting. They all refer to the same low-level lights at the foot of cabinetry. Plinth lights come as individual round or square fittings, while some people use a continuous LED strip behind a diffuser for an unbroken line of light. We hand-pick the individual fittings here; for a continuous run, see our LED strip lighting.

Where to use plinth lights

The usual spot is along a kitchen kickboard, but the same fittings work on stair risers, around a kitchen island, under a bathroom vanity, and along a hallway skirting. For a bathroom, check the fitting carries the right IP rating for the zone. Because the light points down and out across the floor, plinth lights give an indirect glow that is easy on the eye late at night.

How many do you need and how far apart

As a rough guide, space round plinth lights about 400mm to 600mm apart for an even wash, and allow a little less on a short run so the ends do not fall dark. Count the length of your kickboard, divide by your chosen spacing, and round to a whole number of lights. Closer spacing gives a smoother line; wider spacing gives pools of light with gentle gaps between them.

Fitting and wiring

Plinth lights are recessed into a hole cut in the kickboard, or surface-fixed where there is no depth behind. Several lights usually run from one low-voltage driver or a switched supply so they all come on together. Keep within the rated load of the driver, and have the connection to the mains made by a competent person in line with the wiring regulations. Many installs put the plinth lights on their own switch so they can be used as quiet background lighting.

Finishes

We stock plinth lights in brushed chrome, polished and brushed brass, antique brass, matt black and white. Match the bezel to your cabinet handles and taps for a pulled-together look, or pick white or black to let the light sit back into the kickboard.