ᐅ Why does the Malm bed wobble despite being assembled correctly?

Hello everyone,

I recently assembled a Malm bed from Ikea. I followed the instructions very carefully and all the screws are tightened securely. However, the bed still wobbles slightly when I lie down or move on it. This surprises me because I have checked all the important points – the slatted bed base is correctly installed, all wooden parts fit together well, and the screw connections have been checked multiple times.

My question to the community is: Why does the Malm bed wobble despite correct assembly? Are there any structural reasons or common weak points that I might have overlooked? I would appreciate any advice to help make the bed more stable, as the wobbling significantly reduces sleeping comfort.

meori6 schrieb:
Why does the Malm bed wobble despite correct assembly?

Hey, that’s a classic question! 😊 The Malm bed is actually quite sturdy, but sometimes it feels like it has a little dancer built in. Often, wood can slightly warp or the joinery can loosen a bit, especially with beds that are on the lighter side.

A little tip: check if all the connectors are tightened properly, including the small metal brackets or dowels. Sometimes it’s not the big screws that cause the wobbling, but one of these subtle parts. Also, placing some felt or rubber pads between the contact points can help reduce the wobble.

Hang in there, the bed will hold up for sure! 🙂

meori6 schrieb:
Why does the Malm bed wobble despite correct assembly?

Basically, even with seemingly correct assembly, there are several reasons why a bed might wobble, especially the Malm model. First, check whether the legs are truly level on the floor. Even the smallest unevenness can cause wobbling.

The connection points are also crucial. Malm beds often use wooden joints combined with screws and metal brackets. Wood reacts to moisture and weight by slight movement or expansion. Likewise, the screw connections tend to loosen slightly under stress, especially if a torque wrench was not used during assembly.

I recommend the following systematic approach:
1. Recheck the stability using a spirit level or by testing on a flat surface.
2. Tighten all screws with the appropriate torque, being careful not to overtighten.
3. Inspect the slatted frame supports – sometimes these are not fully secured, which can contribute to wobbling.
4. Verify that the metal brackets are correctly and fully screwed in.

Finally: It is not unusual for furniture made from relatively thin particleboard or chipboard to develop slight wobbling over time, as the connections can loosen minimally due to load.

FAZAR schrieb:
It is not unusual for furniture made from relatively thin plywood or particle board to start wobbling a little after some time

Exactly, I can confirm that. Especially with beds that have multiple connection points, small movements can occur over time. It is therefore worth regularly checking the screws—at least once a year—and tightening them if necessary.

barge schrieb:
Sometimes it’s not the big screw that’s loose, but one of those inconspicuous helpers

That’s true! A frequently overlooked point is the hinges or small brackets on the sides of the bed. If even one screw is loose there, it can make the entire frame unstable. Using small washers can also help prevent wobbling.

I would also recommend removing the slatted frame and checking carefully if it is properly seated in the supports. Otherwise, it might behave like a loose building block.

The most common cause is an uneven floor surface. Place the bed on a hard, as smooth as possible surface and check if all the legs are firmly in contact. Use small spacers or felt pads if necessary.

Also, check if all the connections are fully tightened, as this often helps immediately.

erikpu schrieb:
It is therefore worthwhile to regularly check the screws, at least once a year, and tighten them if necessary.

That may be true, but I wonder if the problem might be related more to the design. The Malm is a relatively affordable bed and mainly uses particleboard. This material is not particularly resistant to twisting.

I’m also interested in the specific assembly of your components: Are the screws fitted with washers? Were the brackets properly screwed in? Are you possibly using any additional stabilization methods? Without these, a bed that is correctly assembled can still be wobbly.

Also: How much weight is usually placed on the bed? It’s not uncommon for issues to arise when loads are not evenly distributed.