ᐅ Why does the Malm nightstand become unstable after extended use?

Hello everyone,

I have been using a Malm bedside table from IKEA for about a year and a half, and recently I noticed that it has become unstable after extended use. The drawers no longer slide properly, and the entire frame feels a bit wobbly—as if the joints are gradually losing their firmness.

I am curious why this can happen to a piece of furniture that is supposed to be robustly designed. Is it due to the type of materials, the construction method, or perhaps the screws and connectors loosening over time? I am also interested in the possible effects of moisture or weight.

Has anyone here had experience with the long-term stability of Malm bedside tables or similar furniture? Are there any tips for improving or repairing them beyond just tightening the screws?

I look forward to a well-informed discussion!

Matibla schrieb:
Why does the Malm bedside table become unstable after some time?

That’s an interesting question, and I would like to clarify it further: Is it mainly about wobbly legs, problems with the drawers, or the overall stability in general?

In my experience, inexpensive furniture often lacks durable joining techniques. Manufacturers frequently use particleboard with cheap veneer, whose edges expand quickly due to moisture and use, and the joints are made with small screws or plastic dowels that loosen or fail completely over time.

It would be important to specifically check which types of materials are used in the Malm.

Also: Has the furniture possibly been overloaded or used improperly?

Therefore, I would also like to know if the table is “only” unstable or if individual parts have already visibly warped.

Danial schrieb:
In my experience, inexpensive furniture often lacks durable joint techniques.

That applies quite well to some aspects. The Malm nightstand is indeed made of particleboard, which can swell easily when exposed to moisture.

It is important to regularly check the joints. Screws and dowels can expand and contract with temperature and humidity changes, which causes the fixing to become looser over time.

Matibla schrieb:
… Tips for improvement or repair that go beyond simply tightening screws?

One option is to reinforce the screw holes with wooden dowels or special wood filler before re-inserting the screws. This gives the joints more grip. Adding small metal brackets to the corners alongside the screws can also noticeably increase stability.

If the drawers stick, you can treat the sliding surfaces with furniture wax or some paraffin oil. This significantly improves the smoothness of movement.

Matibla schrieb:
… why this can happen with a piece of furniture that is supposed to be sturdily built.

I’m not sure if you can really call the Malm sturdy. For the price IKEA charges, you usually get furniture intended more for short-term use.

I think the problem for many buyers is that they focus on appearance and the low price but don’t question the material quality or construction. The typical particleboard with thin veneer isn’t meant for long-term use, especially considering that this furniture offers almost no tolerance for stress or moisture.

Danial schrieb:
That’s an interesting question, and I’d like to clarify it further

Exactly, there is often a pretense of sustainability here that doesn’t actually exist. The instability is inevitable and just shows that the manufacturer prioritizes fast mass production. Anyone wanting long-term durability will likely have to replace a Malm after just one or two years if it’s used heavily.

Regarding tightening the screws: THAT is just a temporary fix for a chronic weak point.

Matibla schrieb:
Why does the Malm nightstand become unstable after some time?

For technical context: The Malm nightstand is usually made from MDF or particleboard with a melamine resin coating. These materials provide an affordable and visually appealing surface but are sensitive to moisture and mechanical stress.

The structural instability typically arises from wear at the joints, especially the wooden connectors, small screws, and dowels. These connections are structurally limited depending on the load and tend to loosen over time due to cyclic stresses (daily use, weight on the surface, and drawer pulling).

The most common cause of wobbling is loosening of the screw connections combined with worn dowel holes. In some cases, expansion and contraction of the particleboard due to moisture exposure also contribute to a decline in fit accuracy.

Recommendation: To improve stability, replace the wooden connectors with metal fasteners that have higher tensile strength, or glue the joints and reinforce them with metal brackets. It is important to carefully remove the existing screws and apply wood glue into the dowel holes to create a firmer base.

Simply tightening the screws is often only a temporary fix.