Green Board and Batten Bathroom with Penny Tile Floors
SEE HOW THIS PENNY TILE BATHROOM FLOOR AND THOUGHTFUL DESIGN CHOICES COMPLETELY TRANSFORMED A SMALL, NARROW BATHROOM WITHOUT CHANGING THE LAYOUT!
Recently, I shared an amazing kitchen and bathroom makeover my good friends did as part of their home renovation. Today I wanted to share another bathroom from their home.
This was a smaller, existing bathroom that needed some updating. It has a narrow layout, as many older bathrooms do, but they were able to work with that with beautiful results.
This bathroom remodel is such a good reminder that you don’t always need to move walls or completely rework a layout to create a beautiful bathroom. The narrow footprint stayed the same, but the mix of green board and batten walls, warm brass accents, and a timeless penny tile bathroom floor completely transformed the space!
Narrow bathroom – the before
Below, you can see what they were starting with. The bathroom was functional but in need of some updating.
The vanity was too big and dark for the space, and the sink had an awkward corner faucet. The partial wall behind the vanity also broke up the space, making it feel cramped.
Why This Small Bathroom Remodel Works So Well
Ready for the after? It’s such a dramatic difference!
They kept the original layout of this bathroom with the exception of that one partial wall and focused on the design finishes instead. The bathtub and shower combo had its original green tile. Rather than remove it, they worked with it.
Additionally, they used cohesive materials to make the small space feel larger. For example, notice that the green board and batten walls pick up the green in the tile floor, which coordinates with the bathtub tile (not shown).
Keeping the upper walls white and the bulk of the flooring white also helps lighten and brighten the space without feeling too sterile.
The Green Board and Batten Walls
To add interest to this bathroom, they used a board and batten wall treatment on the lower half of the walls. Wall treatments such as waincoting or wallpaper are a great way to add character in a small space because they don’t take up any square footage.
The shade of green paint (called Coastal Crush from Benjamin Moore) is perfectly muted and creates a relaxing vibe. This adds so much character without competing with the flooring.
The vertical lines of the board and batten help draw the eye up and make a smaller space feel larger.
I also love the pairing of the warm wood vanity with the green walls (I used a similar combo in my own small bathroom renovation, as well as in our basement); it contrasts subtly.
Combining warm wood tones with green walls creates a subtle nature-inspired feel that instantly makes a space feel warm and inviting. The richness of the wood adds warmth, while the green brings in a soft organic element reminiscent of forests, gardens, and the outdoors.
The Penny Tile Bathroom Floor
The star of this show (in my opinion) is the amazing penny tile flooring. Patterned tile is a great way to add interest in any space, and this one picks up the green walls perfectly.
Patterned tile adds texture, visual interest, and a touch of classic vintage charm to this bathroom. It’s a perfect example of how to mix modern elements with timeless details in a way that still feels fresh and cohesive.
Penny tile, in particular, is a choice that never goes out of style. Smaller-scale tiles work especially well in narrow or compact bathrooms because they help the space feel more balanced and proportional, whereas large tiles can sometimes make a small room feel awkward or visually heavy.
The subtle variation in the tile pattern also helps draw the eye through the space. This makes the room feel more thoughtfully designed. Paired with warm brass accents and the green board and batten walls, the overall look feels both polished and welcoming.
This is the kind of bathroom that feels charming now and will still look beautiful years down the road.
Brass Hardware and Warm Accents
To continue the warm and inviting vibe, my friends used brass fixtures and faucets in the bathroom. It feels elevated without feeling flashy.
Repeating those warm metallic finishes throughout the space creates cohesion.
In smaller spaces, especially, consistency in finishes and materials keeps the eye moving smoothly around the room, which makes the space feel larger and more calming. When too many contrasting elements compete for attention in a compact bathroom, the room can quickly start to feel busy and cramped.
Small Bathroom Design Takeaways
Small bathrooms may be limited in square footage, but they offer the perfect opportunity to be intentional with every design choice. Focusing on a few key elements can make a big difference in how open, cohesive, and stylish the space feels.
- Add character with wall treatments
- Choose timeless tile over trendy
- Use warm metals to soften cooler tones
- Let one standout feature be the focal point
- Use repeating elements
Because they focused on cohesion and thoughtful repetition of materials, this small bathroom feels elevated and well-designed. It’s all about choosing details that work together so the space feels calm, functional, and quietly beautiful rather than busy or overwhelming.
Small Space, Big Impact
Small bathrooms don’t need a complicated design plan to feel special. It really comes down to choosing a few impactful elements and letting them work together
And honestly, that’s the goal in any room, but especially in a bathroom you use every single day. It should feel like a place you actually enjoy walking into, not just a space you rush through. A few simple, cohesive choices can go a long way in making it feel calm, pulled together, and a little bit charming in that quiet, lived-in way.
This bathroom is proof that even a small, narrow space can feel layered, timeless, and full of personality without a massive renovation.
Honestly, I’m still thinking about the penny tile bathroom floor.
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