dark colors used sparingly would be quite dramatic in smaller spaces.

Not necessarily. Even the opposite some time. Take a look at the difference between the before and after on this cool powder room project (my favorite houzz ideabook this year!) https://www.houzz.com/magazine/now-arriving-on-platform-2-a-playful-powder-room-stsetivw-vs~8133564

as the designer is quoted as saying, "People always think lighter colors will add depth, but it's darker colors that do — I mean, look at the before picture."

Where's the after pic?

That photo is a link to the whole ideabook. Click on the words under it and you can see the whole article.

Thanks, Very cool !

LOVE it!