Good space to work with.

The first thing that comes to mind is could you remove the soffits?

paint the kitchen walls in a lighter color

remove the window treatment over the kitchen sink

I think the border weighs the space down, and creates a fenced in feeling, and confusion with the diamond pattern near the eating counter. I also think the table being turned at an angle looks like an obstacle course, or that the table doesn't really fit there. The large trash can appears to be another part of the obstacle course as well.

I agree about the table , removing the border and window covering. If you painted the cabinets it would really make the space feel lighter. Too bad you did not get a counter depth fridge they always make a space feel more open. Unless you are redoing the kitchen I would not waste the time or money on removing soffits. Your table does not look too traditional to me and I don't think it would hurt to get a new light fixture there .

wallpaper border down, window treatment down, new faucet, reassess.

if you can empty a lower cabinet to fit a trash can in, thats a big boost.

don't touch whatever it is that is checkerboard on the right, that has real personality. i love me a good black and white checkerboard!

oh, and if you dont have 3 people regularly sitting at the counter, i'd put the 3rd stool away. 3 stools fit but 2 would look more spacious.

Reface it with a paint grade door if you want to paint. Also increasing the size of the door stile and rail will give it a much richer look. Go to something like a 3'' stile and rail.

Also, how attached are you to that wallpaper?

Boyce Not attached to the wall paper

go ahead, break my heart, Boyce. that wallpaper is what stands between a person's kitchen and a generic kitchen. its ok tyger, but please if you take it down don't just paint the wall grey.

You can get creative with paint, too, the dark of the cabinetry mixed with the dark of the wallpaper does add to the dark of the space -

First, declutter: take the tall fruit bowl, white vasey thing off counters, they are too tall. Take stuffed bear & shelf down, thing off end cabinet & half moon thing off soffit. Wallpaper is great but too busy for this room. If you don't want to paint cabinets painting the window casings and doors white will brighten up the room. Also, the high top table takes up visual space and makes you feel closed in. Regular height table would be appropriate. Good Luck