End it in the corner.

You only need a side backsplash if there is a sink quite near the corner. So I would end at the corner for the cleanest look. No tile on the side wall.

most people just do the back wall. some people like doing the side wall too. it's up to you.

Here is one without the side,,,

and a few more with, (make sure you have bullnose edge tiles if you will be bringing it out. if you do bring it out, bring it to the edge of cabinet

they did it on this one too,,,but you have to look closely, under the glass cabinets

I would take it up around the window, to the ceiling if you can. No sense leaving that little strip.

if you're doing white tile, switch out those plugs for whiter ones.

I wouldn’t stop it under the outlets. The outlets look lower then the window sill, I think it will look funny to not have the tile go to the bottom of the window. Personally I think it looks best to take it up under the bottom of the wall cabinet, like shown in the pictures above.

No, don’t end a tile backsplash under your outlets. It will look just plain unfinished and like you ran out of money for to finish the tile job.

Whether to do sidewall or not is preference. It is not necessary but can look nice. I do prefer it not to be on side personally, though.

I agree with suggestion to take tile, if a plainer tile, up around window to top where windows appears to dead end (looks like you have a soffit or something above). The third photo Beth H posted shows this look.

Thank you everyone! We've decided not to do the side wall and end it at the corner of the window wall. Will post photo once done! Thanks again!!

Many designers feel that the side wall should NOT be tiled backsplash. It is just a design no-no. I'm glad you decided not to. Back wall is where it should stop.

While it might be a design no-no - which I personally think should be a matter of opinion/personal taste, what do you plan to do in that area? My thought is that if you are cooking/mixing there you may want it tiled. Nothing worse than trying to clean splattered chocolate cake batter off a painted wall.

As long as you have used good quality paint and the right paint, wiping a wall should not be an issue.

Benjamin Moore and it was still an issue. Tried scrubbing and it scuffed the surface.

Depends on the paint finish too. I used BM Pearl finish in my kitchen and it cleans up spatters easily.

BM satin and it sat overnight. In a perfect world you can clean up right away. Around the holidays it's hard. My walls were not perfect enough for a glossier paint - old house.

A backsplash is a functional consideration first and foremost. If you anticipate getting anything on the side wall, then do have a backsplash.

I was also just told by my kitchen designer not to tile the side wall either. So you made the right choice! My side wall is not near water but it is near the stove so my painter is going to paint just that little side area with a semi gloss top coat (you can’t really see it and it should help if I have the need to clean it). Just another idea for you!

What about around the window?

You don't want to end the tile around the window in a straight line with the bottom of the cabinets. Either go all the way up and around the top of the window or bring it up a few inches beyond the bottom of the cabinets. Like this. No straight lines under the cabinets or under the windows.

It's a bit of a dead zone, drawer bank and dishwasher, so I think I'm okay with not tiling beyond the corner. I like the idea of going up the sides of the window but I'll have to wait and see what backsplash I go with as there is only 3" of space on either side of the window and a bulkhead at the top of the window

Theresa, I love that tile!

Thank you. We did our kitchen about a year ago and I've received many compliments, so I guess I picked the right one! Wanted something that would be a little unexpected, but still neutral.

This is exactly my issue with my new kitchen reno so thanks everyone. I knew I was going to tile to the ceiling around the window (Teresa that looks awesome!) but didn't know for sure about the side as continuing tile along the side just didn't look "right" to my minds eye . I guess its all a personal preference but I'm going with no side tile. This is a great board with so many helpful posters, many thanks!