I just LOVE the window seat pic!
When I had my last house built, I specifically had the builder extend the boxed out window down low to the ground, so my yorkie (at that time) Chelsea could climb up there & see the outside world. My builder had never put a window in that low before, but he was totally understanding about the need for it. Chelsea loved it & spent hours laying/sitting there.
Here's a pic of the window from the very last time I was in the house before closing on it & handing the keys to the new owner. Chelsea had been gone two years by then, but everytime I looked at that window it reminded me of her.
My new wee house is strange (1950's build). All the windows are at least 30+ inches above the ground and I don't even have a glass patio or sliding door anywhere, so I have furniture strategically placed infront of windows so ZoE can see out. Prolly not the best feng shui, but it works for us

I'd love something like your set up with bench & stairs....and so would ZoE