Interested in the responses, I am having the same debate. We are leaning towards not tiling the side walls because it'll make the kitchen look smaller, but I could be wrong!

I would say not needed,

Can you post a picture of the right wall?

Interesting - I am planning to have mine around all walls in my u-shaped kitchen, but I have countertops on all three, so maybe my sitch is very different.

I would not do the side walls. Patch the drywall & paint.

Not needed on that side wall. since it is not near the sink.

I uploaded more pics

HI -- You do not need the sides unless they are near water or cooking areas . More up to date with no sides ! I like what I see now with counter and back tile ... good choices .

OK - good to see more pictures. Yep - in your case, I wouldn't do the sides.

I'd use one row of tiles. Walls get dirty from your cloth going up against it daily. Maybe two rows, which makes patching unnecessary.

But.. There is really good wallpaint out there, so it's up to you and your taste.

No

I might do the sides, just because it can be hard to patch drywall. :)

One of your images has it drawn in with mitered trim. That would look great.

(There is no "right" or "wrong" here.)

If you do feel the need to tile, it should not extend past the upper cab unless you are planning to do that entire wall.