ᐅ IKEA MALM nightstand wobbles despite wall mounting – any solutions?

Created on: 29 Oct 2018 19:07
J
jepefra
J
jepefra
29 Oct 2018 19:07
Hello everyone,
I have an issue with my IKEA Malm bedside table. Despite being properly secured to the wall, the table still wobbles, especially when I lightly bump it or place something on it. The wobbling isn’t extreme but is clearly noticeable and quite annoying, as it makes an otherwise neat piece of furniture feel unstable.

The table was attached using the supplied wall plugs and screws directly into the wall, and I have checked that the screws are tight – which they are. The furniture is standing on carpet, with all feet touching the floor. The wobbling feels more like there is some play at the wall-to-furniture connection.

Has anyone experienced this problem or have any suggestions on how to permanently stabilize the Malm bedside table? Should I use additional brackets or other fasteners? Or could the issue actually be caused by uneven flooring or the furniture itself?

I’d appreciate any advice!
T
tanhau
29 Oct 2018 19:45
Check if the back panel of the table is properly resting against the wall. Sometimes a small gap is enough to cause wobbling. If needed, you can install additional metal brackets underneath the table where it meets the wall.
J
JORDON
29 Oct 2018 20:12
I know that all too well. With my MALM, a small rubber mat placed between the floor and the leg worked wonders in reducing wobbling. Maybe that could help in your case too? 🙂
L
LANICOLE
30 Oct 2018 08:17
Hello jepefra,

I would recommend first checking the subfloor carefully. A carpet can cause a piece of furniture to be unstable if the feet are not all evenly supported. With three-point contact, wobbling can easily occur.

Step 1: Place the bedside table on a hard, flat surface (e.g., tile or hardwood flooring) and test for wobbling again.

Step 2: Check whether all the furniture feet have full contact with the floor. If not, you can place felt pads of varying thickness underneath until everything is level.

Step 3: The wall mounting for the IKEA MALM is primarily designed to prevent tipping, so for ease of use, additional fastening is advisable. If you used the supplied screws, double-check that the wall mount does not move during installation – there should be no play.

If you want, you can also add extra screws or metal brackets at the top to increase stability.

Summary:
- Check the floor (level and firm)
- Adjust feet if needed with felt pads
- Inspect wall mount and reinforce if necessary

This will solve wobbling in most cases.
J
jepefra
30 Oct 2018 09:50
LANICOLE schrieb:
Carpet flooring can cause a piece of furniture to be unstable

Good point! I’m actually standing on a thick carpet. Could I possibly use small plastic stoppers under the feet instead of felt pads? Or might these damage the carpet fibers?
tanhau schrieb:
Otherwise, you can install additional metal brackets under the table against the wall.

Is this kind of mounting to the wall recommended, or is there a risk that the furniture can no longer be easily moved if needed?

Another question: Is there usually a gap between IKEA MALM nightstands and the wall, or should they normally sit flush against it?
K
karus66
30 Oct 2018 11:18
The ideal attachment should ensure that the nightstand sits completely flush and stable against the wall. Even a small gap will inevitably cause wobbling, as the furniture can tilt under load.

Regarding the plastic stoppers: they can slightly compress the carpet but will not damage it. It is important that the bottom surface of the stoppers is wide enough to avoid concentrating too much pressure on a small area.

As for using additional brackets, you should consider whether you will be moving the nightstand frequently. Fixed screws might get in the way or leave marks. Quick-release screws or hook-in angle brackets could be an alternative.

Overall, it seems to me that the cause of the wobbling is primarily the gap between the back panel of the nightstand and the wall, rather than the floor. Check carefully with a plumb line or a spirit level.