J.L.
Hi D.,
I am a non-pro, but mother of 4 ranging from 19 to 2. I bought 2 really great leather wrapped benches from Overstock that open and hold toys/books. The big one doubles as my "coffee table in the familyroom" the small one holds the books and doubles as a side table and the top comes off and flips over for a solid surface for drinks,etc. It also keeps children from catching a sharp wood corner to the eye which happens often with regular tables in the family room. I've also worked very hard in the last few years on designing interior/exterior of 3 homes for myself. (the one I live in, our lake house, and one we are building now to move to. The last I have had a lot of architectural help though. If you'd like to see before and after pictures of the lake, I'd be glad to send to you. We are just at the last phases of the remodeling...laying the wood floors and getting ready for finish touches like paint!
Take care and hope I've been of some help.
J. L.