I would tile the back and the left side, but only up to the underside of your taps, so it looks like a narrow band around the counter's edge. This will protect your wall when you wipe the countertops. If you tile the entire back right up to the cabinet, then you'll have to do the same on the left side too, and you'll have an awkward corner of tile (if you see what I mean). All that tile at the back and the left will make the lack of tile on the right very obvious, and feel unbalanced.

I would even look at putting tile on the right side as well, to complete the line of the tile "border". I've never done this before, but in this case I would consult the tile man and see if it can be stuck there. Food for thought, anyway. Perhaps another designer has run across this before and can comment?

I would tile all three sides and finsih the top edge with a Schluter profile (metal edging that creates a clean, finished edge). I agree with cynthia that the tile on the open wall only go to the base of your upper babinents, but if you don't like the idea of the tile just ending, you may want to only tile the back. here is a photo i aded to my idea book when planning my laundry. it shows the tile running free of any upper cabs - it will give you an idea of what it might look like:

If you can't do all three sides I would just do the back

I would tile the left and the back walls because this is a wet area. It's perfectly fine to have only two walls tiled. I would go all the way up to the base of the cabinet.
Hope that helps. Charmean Neithart

Hello esthernosson,

I would also tile all three walls all the way up to the base of the cabinet. It is not a problem at all to tile the cabinet wall as well. Your tile guy should know what type of adhesive he has to use. If not, please feel free to contact us, we will be glad to assist you.

I am more concerned about the patchwork around your faucet. This looks anything else but professional. As far as I can see is every patch only held by two screws.

Regards,

3D-Tile-Design - Bertram Tasch
Maple Ridge, BC (Greater Vancouver)
http://www.3D-Tile-Design.ca