Dark colored cabinets can make your kitchen appear smaller and feel claustrophobic.  Lighten up your kitchen by painting the cabinets a softer hue, like white or a light grey. Create a low-contrast difference between the cabinets, the backsplash, and countertop. The closer they are in color value, the more open the space will feel. Another option is to remove the cabinet doors or replace the solid front with glass. Using glass doors, pulls the depth of the kitchen even further, visually creating a bigger space.