Generally speaking lighter colors make a room appear brighter and more spacious. If you really like a darker tile, you could offset that with more cans.

Our basement has a little natural light from 2 small windows. Had leveling compound poured and then installed laminate flooring (a very light natural oak color) over the concrete. Huge difference. Huge. Made the room much seem much brighter and twice as spacious.

I used a lighter flooring and I have to agree it does make the space look larger. People also have commented that the room feels big and bright, for whatever that worth. Go with what you like because at the end of the day it's your home.