There’s no rule as to whether your painted kitchen cabinets should be lighter or darker than the walls. it’s all a matter of preference and what works best in your space. If you opt for darker cabinets, you’ll achieve a more dramatic, statement look. Lighter than the walls and you’ll get a more subtle, delicate finish. Having a light and open kitchen means you can go for a darker feature colour like bue used here and not make the space feel too heavy.