Mattia Di Lisio’s home office coffee bar brings together a modified IKEA cabinet, concealed cables, custom lighting and a Meraki espresso machine. After a week of using the machine, he says it already feels like part of his morning routine. His review focuses on how the integrated grinder, dose and yield scales, milk steaming controls and accessible cleaning parts work within the station he has built.
Starting with the Space Around the Machine
Mattia begins with a clear goal: give coffee a dedicated place within his home office. He wants the corner to feel calm, functional and clean, with enough organisation to make the equipment comfortable to use.
The foundation is an IKEA BESTÅ cabinet mounted to the wall using a rail. He changes the orientation of one cabinet board because he plans to cover the top and wants to make use of the existing screw holes.
Access to power shapes the build as well. He leaves the back panel open so he can reach the wall’s only outlet, then drills a cable-routing hole to keep the wiring organised.
For the countertop, he chooses an oak-veneer BESTÅ top panel. M8 desk feet create space between the panel and cabinet for cables, while adhesive silicone bumpers help prevent the top from sliding. He also adds supports beneath the surface because it will carry a heavy espresso machine.
These choices make the station more than a place to display equipment. Power access, cable routing and countertop support are built into the layout from the beginning. They are useful considerations when planning a home espresso station, although Mattia’s specific cabinet modifications are presented as his own build rather than a universal installation plan.
Lighting and Storage That Keep the Counter Clear
Lighting is one of the most distinctive parts of the project. Mattia builds a softbox using wooden slats, diffusion material, aluminium tape and a 3 m Philips Hue LED strip.
To attach it beneath the cabinet, he designs 3D-printed brackets that connect the wooden frame and slide onto existing M8 screws. After several attempts and revisions, he arrives at a structure that can be attached and removed without making additional holes in the cabinet.
He then hides the LED cable behind leftover wooden wall panels. Two smaller pieces are aligned side by side, with the cable routed behind them. This solves the remaining visible wiring issue while giving the coffee corner a finished background.
On the left, he keeps an IKEA SKÅDIS pegboard for coffee accessories. He likes the option to design additional 3D-printed holders as his storage needs change.
The result separates storage from the main preparation surface. Wall-mounted holders and the machine’s wooden accessory stand give the tools places to return to, helping preserve the clean layout he wanted.
Why Meraki Fits the Finished Setup
Once the space is ready, Mattia adds the Meraki espresso machine. His first comments concern its appearance and construction: he likes the contemporary, minimalist form and says the stainless steel and dense ABS plastic feel solid.
He also finds the circular touchscreen simple to navigate. The interface gives him access to the preparation controls without adding a separate display or device to the counter.
For this project, the integrated arrangement matters. The grinder, two scales and brewing functions sit within one unit, which suits his goal of keeping the coffee bar organised.
His review is therefore about the relationship between the machine and the surrounding station. The furniture creates the working space, while the machine brings the main coffee preparation functions together within it.
From a Selected Dose to a Target Espresso Yield
Mattia describes a measured sequence for preparing espresso. He selects the coffee dose, and the integrated TIMEMORE grinder dispenses grounds into a magnetic dosing cup.
He then prepares the portafilter, tamps the coffee and locks it into the group head. During brewing, the machine stops at the selected beverage yield.
The two measurements serve different stages of the recipe: the grinder controls the amount of ground coffee, while the brewing scale tracks the espresso delivered into the cup. Mattia appreciates having those functions built into the setup.
He does not provide a complete shot record with dose, yield, grind setting and extraction time in his spoken review. The useful detail is the sequence he follows and the automatic stopping behaviour he describes, rather than a recipe readers can reproduce exactly.
He also comments positively on the included tools: a 58 mm portafilter, tamper, distribution tool and wooden stand. Their organisation fits the wider project, where keeping preparation tools accessible is part of making the station work. The current Meraki accessory range provides a reference for readers considering individual tools alongside their own setup.
Milk Steaming with Temperature Feedback
Mattia enjoys milk-based drinks, so steaming receives more attention than a passing mention. He describes the steam as powerful and says the milk reaches 55°C within seconds during his use.
That is the temperature he reports in the video. He does not give a precise steaming duration or milk volume, so it should not be treated as a standard speed test.
He identifies three steam settings—gentle, medium and strong—and explains the temperature probe at the wand tip. In automatic mode, steaming stops when the milk reaches the chosen target temperature. Manual steaming remains available.
This milk-temperature feedback is one of the controls he values for preparing milk drinks. He describes the resulting microfoam as smooth and suitable for lattes or cappuccinos, with the potential for latte art when the user has the pouring skills.
That last qualification keeps his assessment practical. The machine supports milk preparation, while the finished pattern still depends on the person pouring it.
Cleaning Access Matters in an Office Coffee Bar
Mattia’s review also covers the parts he needs to access after making coffee. He says the drip tray slides out smoothly and has a float indicator that rises when it is full.
He notes that the grinder and hopper can be removed, making them easier to reach for cleaning. These details matter in a station designed around a tidy surface: the equipment needs to be accessible for care as well as attractive when everything is in place.
The video gives an early impression of cleaning access rather than a long-term maintenance report. For ongoing ownership, a daily espresso cleanup routine helps connect the preparation process with resetting the station for its next use.
His Verdict After One Week
At the time of filming, Mattia has used Meraki for approximately one week. He says it already feels like part of his morning routine and is pleased with how the coffee bar has turned out.
The project is not completely finished: some additional accessories have yet to arrive, and he plans to share further updates. That makes the video a useful record of an evolving setup rather than a claim that every detail has been settled.
What distinguishes his Meraki review is the attention given to the whole station. Countertop support, power access, lighting, storage and cleaning access all receive consideration alongside grinding, brewing and steaming.
For readers planning a home office coffee bar, that is the strongest takeaway from his experience: the machine and the space around it need to work together. Mattia’s setup gives each preparation step a place, with Meraki at the centre of the routine.
To compare the machine with your own space and coffee habits, review the current specifications and package contents on the Meraki espresso machine product page.
