![A modern house addition that includes a dining area built into the space underneath the stairs.](https://www.contemporist.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/custom-built-in-dining-table-bench-steel-wood-270221-736-01.jpg)
Matt Fajkus Architecture has recently completed a 950 square foot addition to a home in Austin, Texas, and included in the design, is a dining area that makes the most of the available space.
![A modern dining area with a steel table and wood dining benches.](https://www.contemporist.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/custom-built-in-dining-table-bench-steel-wood-270221-736-02.jpg)
Usually, the space under the stairs is often left open in an interior, however this time, the designer decided to create a dining area.
![A modern built in dining area with benches and a dark table top.](https://www.contemporist.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/custom-built-in-dining-table-bench-steel-wood-270221-736-03.jpg)
The dining area has two wood benches. The first bench has been built as part of the overall stair design.
![A modern built in dining area with benches and a dark table top.](https://www.contemporist.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/custom-built-in-dining-table-bench-steel-wood-270221-736-04.jpg)
The second bench has been designed to be moved under the table when not being used, and it also lines up with the nearby wall and bottom of the stairs.
![A modern built in dining area with benches and a dark table top.](https://www.contemporist.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/custom-built-in-dining-table-bench-steel-wood-stairs-270221-736-05.jpg)
The dark table top complements the stair handrails and support structure.
![A modern built in dining area with benches and a dark table top.](https://www.contemporist.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/custom-built-in-dining-table-bench-steel-wood-270221-736-06.jpg)
Here’s a look at more photos of the home, which includes the white stucco-clad, two-story addition to the generic 1980’s house, the new black window and door frames, the built-in window benches, and the skylights located above the stairs.
![A modern white stucco house addition.](https://www.contemporist.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/modern-house-extension-270221-737-07.jpg)
![A modern white stucco house addition.](https://www.contemporist.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/modern-house-addition-270221-737-08.jpg)
![A modern white stucco house addition.](https://www.contemporist.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/modern-house-addition-270221-737-09.jpg)
![Large windows with a built-in window bench.](https://www.contemporist.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/modern-window-seats-270221-738-10.jpg)
![A modern powder room with a wood vanity that matches the door and the wood featured on the stairs.](https://www.contemporist.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/modern-wood-steel-stairs-270221-738-11.jpg)
![A modern wood ceiling with three skylights.](https://www.contemporist.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/modern-home-skylights-270221-738-12.jpg)
![A modern wood ceiling with three skylights.](https://www.contemporist.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/modern-home-skylights-270221-738-13.jpg)