This family has a lot children. This long hallway filled with bench seats that lift up to allow storage of any item they may need. Photography by Greg Hoppe

Red Egg Design Group | Kid's Playroom with plenty of toy and game storage. | Courtney Lively Photography
Photo of a contemporary kids' playroom in Phoenix.

One corner of the kitchen was designated as a breakfast nook, featuring built-in seating with drawer storage and a custom-built drop-leaf table.
This is an example of a traditional kitchen in San Francisco with shaker cabinets and white cabinets.

Plants: Japanese maple and mixed planting behind storage box provide interest. The Michelia figo and buxus sempervirens layered hedge provide privacy, formality and a calm green backdrop to the courtyard patio. Fence: lattice was attached to to the existing run down fence and painted a very deep (almost black) blue. The dark color helps the fence recede and makes the green foliage stand out. The lattice brings texture which also helps soften the boundary. Paving: The simple paving pattern is one of the more difficult to lay - you need to make sure the perp lines are straight for it to look fabulous. But done well this is the most peaceful restful paving pattern. These pavers are Blue stone. The same stone as the retaining wall. The different texture is from the blue stone blocks in the wall being rough hewn, while the pavers have been cut with a diamond blade saw. Storage and bench seat: The storage bench Is practical, functional and good looking. It contains garden tools in waterproof boxes which means no garden shed taking up space in this inner city courtyard. And it is a lovely day bed, or bench seat for the table.

Ryan Wicks Photography
Design ideas for a mid-sized contemporary foyer in London with grey walls, a single front door, a white front door and beige floor.

The unique design challenge in this early 20th century Georgian Colonial was the complete disconnect of the kitchen to the rest of the home. In order to enter the kitchen, you were required to walk through a formal space. The homeowners wanted to connect the kitchen and garage through an informal area, which resulted in building an addition off the rear of the garage. This new space integrated a laundry room, mudroom and informal entry into the re-designed kitchen. Additionally, 25” was taken out of the oversized formal dining room and added to the kitchen. This gave the extra room necessary to make significant changes to the layout and traffic pattern in the kitchen. Beth Singer Photography

A built-in bench along the window is great for parents to hang out and observe, or read, or cuddle. We added storage underneath for bigger toys and covered the cushion in a soft outdoor fabric for easy clean up. Photo by Brian Kelly

Family members enter this kitchen from the mud room where they are right at home in this friendly space. The Kitchens central banquette island seats six on cozy upholstered benches with another two diners at the ends. There is table seating for EIGHT plus the back side boasts raised seating for four more on swiveling bar stools. The show-stopping coffered ceiling was custom designed and features beaded paneling, recessed can lighting and dramatic crown molding. The counters are made of Labradorite which is often associated with jewels. It's iridescent sparkle adds glamour without being too loud. The wood paneled backsplash allows the cabinetry to blend in. There is glazed subway tile behind the range. This lovely home features an open concept space with the kitchen at the heart. Built in the late 1990's the prior kitchen was cherry, but dark, and the new family needed a fresh update. This great space was a collaboration between many talented folks including but not limited to the team at Delicious Kitchens & Interiors, LLC, L. Newman and Associates/Paul Mansback, Inc with Leslie Rifkin and Emily Shakra. Additional contributions from the homeowners and Belisle Granite. John C. Hession Photographer

This mudroom accommodates the homeowners daily lifestyle and activities. Baskets and additional storage under the bench hide everyday items and hooks offer a place to hang coats and scarves.

Window seat with storage
Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary open concept living room in San Francisco with green walls, carpet and no fireplace.

© Joe Fletcher Photography
Design ideas for a mid-sized contemporary eat-in kitchen in New York with shaker cabinets, white cabinets, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood floors, an undermount sink, zinc benchtops and with island.

These floor to ceiling book shelves double as a storage and an eye- capturing focal point that surrounds the head board, making the bed in this master bedroom, the center of attention. Learn more about Chris Ebert, the Normandy Remodeling Designer who created this space, and other projects that Chris has created: https://www.normandyremodeling.com/team/christopher-ebert Photo Credit: Normandy Remodeling

Alice Hayes
Inspiration for a contemporary dining room in Seattle with orange walls.

A boot room lies off the kitchen, providing further additional storage, with cupboards, open shelving, shoe storage and a concealed storage bench seat. Iron coat hooks on a lye treated board, provide lots of coat hanging space. Charlie O'Beirne - Lukonic Photography

Photo of a contemporary kitchen in London with an undermount sink, white cabinets, white splashback, subway tile splashback, light hardwood floors, with island, beige floor, granite benchtops and shaker cabinets.

The dining room is the room with a view! Flanked on all sides with windows and anchored by a stunning, central fireplace wall, with window seats on either side. A great place to curl up and read a book or simply hang out while someone cooks in the kitchen.

This remodeled kitchen was transformed from a tiny compact kitchen to a small scale kitchen with much improved flow and storage. The space has become the central location for family interaction. An arched wall of a breakfast room was removed to create a better flow and layout to the space. We created the remembrance of the original arch within the new cabinetry detail over the built in bench seating and also within the hood.

This custom roof deck in Manhattan's Chelsea neighborhood features lightweight aluminum decking, ipe planters, an ipe and metal pergola, and ipe benches with built-in storage under the seats. Few woods can match the natural beauty of ipe (pronounced ee-pey), a hardwood with a 30-year life expectancy. These pictures were taken in early spring, before the leaves have filled out on the trees. Plantings include coralbark maples, hornbeams, pink cherry trees, crape myrtles, and feather grasses. The planters include LED up-lighting and automated drip irrigation lines. Read more about our projects on my blog, www.amberfreda.com.

We designed banquette seating with handy storage drawers for this kitchen renovation. Custom table by Ann Kelly Interiors. Photo: Wendy Concannon
Photo of a mid-sized contemporary kitchen/dining combo in Philadelphia with medium hardwood floors.