you can do narrow borders with a patchwork in the center of each side and in the corners.
I agree that there might need some breathing between rows. Qulters who do RR tend to try and be elaborate in adding their part. I recently did one and each time I added the breathing space with some pick up of the center motif in the corners and or at 1/2 point in the sides. My suggestion is don't try and be elaborate. The finished product may look like a jumbled up bunch of designs.