The industry standards typically hover around 1 and 1/4 inch (or 3 centimeters) for granite and marble kitchen island countertops and 3/4 inch (or 2 centimeters) for bathroom granite and marble vanity tops. But as Dorothy Draper - interior decorating icon from the 30's and author of Decorating is Fun! - used to say, "I believe in doing the thing you feel is right. If it looks right, it is right." And for some designers and homeowners today, thicker granite and marble kitchen islands and bathroom vanities just feel right! 

Thicker marble and granite slabs have significantly grown in popularity. Here at Marble and Granite in New England, we have noticed in particular that 2-inch thick granite and marble kitchen islands are becoming a common trend among our clients. Thicker granite and marble slabs are rarer and - in turn - more expensive, which is why they are most often used on smaller areas such as kitchen islands. But for many, the money is well worth the look of these thicker granite and marble slabs, as they give the colors and patterns a stronger presence as a focal point in the design. 

The thickness you choose for a granite countertop or a marble vanity top, for instance, will depend on multiple factors. First, the style you are looking to achieve in your kitchen and bathroom might affect your decision. Thicker countertops and vanity tops complement contemporary, modern and minimalist designs extremely well. In addition, the color of granite or marble that you envision will be an important consideration. Typically, darker colors are oftentimes easier to find in a thicker variety than lighter colors of marble and granite sometimes are. Finally, your budget will play a part in your decision, as thicker granite or marble means more material and more money. 

To help you decide if a thicker stone island or bathroom vanity may be right for you, here are a couple of examples of granite surfaces that are slightly thicker than the standard 1 and 1/4 inch slab. 

Photos via Houzz