I would also go for the 1 32" drawer. More useful space

Another vote for 32". More useful and I think it would also be cheaper than 2 small cabs.

~Definitely 1 - 32" drawer. I have my cutlery in a 30" drawer and it allows me to store salad cutlery and serving spoons as well. I do have a 16" bank as well and it would have been too small for that.

For most people, I would definitely say one 32". However, if you have a very small kitchen, keep in mind that when you open that drawer, anyone who is standing in the way will have to move. I have 27" drawers, and that's sometimes a problem. However, overall, one 32" will give you a lot more space than 2 16" drawers.

Definitely 32". Like you said, you can get dividers.

What they said...32 inch without a doubt. My smallest drawer is an 18 inch over the trash pull out...perfect for trash bags, twist ties, matches, rubber bands, etc. but definitely would not want to store serving pieces or other cutlery in it.

I have mega 42 inch drawers and more or less love them despite an early failure.
Just a reminder to weigh the drawer in addition to what you put inside the drawer. The total weight needs to conform to specs.
That being said 32 is better than 16 inch drawers unless you plan to put very heavy items in the drawers.

I agree on the 32" drawer - tho, some (like my sister) would rather have 2 and open 2 for different things. She has one about 12" I think and can fit a normal (plastic type) flatware divider in it. She is fine w/that. Then she has another one the same size for her extra flatware... she also thinks her ROTs are better than drawers.

Many thanks everybody for your help - very much appreciated, 32 it is.

Auntie_Karen - you make a great point. The bank of drawers is at least 21 inches deep (24 inch deep counter) . If you imagine a C in block letters, the counter is on the vertical line, the drawers extend till the lower part of the vertical line ; the range starts 18 inches away on the lower line. I need to do some mocking up to make sure that the drawer does not become difficult to use when someone is at the range.

Maybe need to move around the prep sink location or alternately pull outs for the 32 (I don't like pullouts very much though).

I agree that one larger is better, but I'm curious about your layout. Can you post it for us?

My layout is as attached Breezygirl.

This is an apartment kitchen so we are limited by the changes we can make. We have extended the kitchen into an adjoining study knocking down some non load bearing walls, but the load bearing walls are right in the centre of where I don't want them to be specially the one between the sink and the short counter. Ah well....

While the kitchen is very small, I dithered over the prep sink, but decided that having a water source near the range was preferable to having to tote water across the room. The addition of the prep sink now means that my previously carefully planned cabinets all have to change.

I concur on both fronts: The larger drawer is a better use of space, but....

I have a 36" drawer on my island where we keep utensils, etc... and inevitably, every time anyone wants to get in that drawer (which is often), someone is standing in the way and has to be asked to move. And they have to take a few steps back, not just shift their bodies. Had I done a 36" pot and pan base but modified it to have two 18" drawers at the top, it would have made things so much easier... sharp knives in one drawer, forks/spoons, etc in the other.

Keep in mind that two drawers actually takes up about 3" more space because of the face frame and cabinet walls. With a 32" drawer, you're really only losing 1.5" from the face frame.

I vote for 32"

I love my 36" drawers, but they're also outside the "U" of the kitchen, along the dining room wall.

Wouldn't it be better to have the prep sink at the other end of the counter?You'll end up with less b/w the range and the sink, but as shown in your drawing you won't have elbow room right next to a wall. and far from the fridge (assuming fridge is next to cleanup). I can't read the dimensions, but maybe if you move the range closer to the corner, having the sink where I suggested can work better. Just an idea.