A furniture system includes a desk having an upper surface and a pair of opposed depending ground-engaging side walls, at least one of the side walls defining means for storing books or the like. An overlay overlying the desk top provides a surface for erasable writing thereon. At least one bench is stowable beneath the desk top. The bench provides a storage area and a non-tiltable seat for at least one child by providing an area in which a child's feet can be emplaced and confined. When not used as a seat, the seating member can be rotated from a horizontal to a vertical position to expose a further stowage chamber. Optimally, a second seat can be secured to the exterior of the bench.