Hello everyone, I have an IKEA Malm dresser that is causing me some trouble: the dresser is leaning forward, meaning the front edge seems to tilt down slightly, so the dresser no longer stands flat overall. This makes opening the drawers more difficult and doesn’t look good either. Does anyone know this problem? What could be the reasons behind it, and how can I get the dresser back to a stable, level position? I have already tried securing it to the wall, but that only helps to a limited extent. Are there any tips for adjusting or fine-tuning it to fix this leaning issue?
Nijarl schrieb:
The dresser tilts forward, meaning the front edge seems to lean slightly downwardI actually find this quite typical for inexpensive furniture like the Malm – they are often borderline when it comes to stability. Of course, you can try some tricks, but often the issue simply comes down to the dresser not standing on a perfectly level surface and the construction itself being slightly tilted. My theory: rather than making lots of adjustments, a more stable base or a slight floor correction would be more effective. Sometimes retrofitting with brackets or additional reinforcements is the only real solution. On a lighter note: do you really want the Malm dresser to bear weight permanently on a shaky front edge? 😉
First of all, the issue of the Malm dresser tipping forward is closely related to the assembly and installation process. From a technical perspective, the following steps could be helpful in identifying the cause:
1. Be sure to check that all screws and dowels are properly secured, especially the back panel of the dresser. A loose back panel reduces overall stability.
2. Make sure the dresser is placed on a truly level surface. Using a furniture wedge or small spacers under the front feet might help if the floor is uneven.
3. Inspect the connection between the side panels and the bottom panel. Sometimes misaligned joints cause the entire piece of furniture to lean in one direction.
4. Another important point is aligning the dresser with the wall mounting. Is the dresser firmly flush against the wall, or is a screw angled in a way that creates forward pulling forces?
If you provide more information, I can offer more specific advice regarding potential assembly errors. How exactly did you assemble the dresser? Was it put together entirely by yourself or by someone else?
1. Be sure to check that all screws and dowels are properly secured, especially the back panel of the dresser. A loose back panel reduces overall stability.
2. Make sure the dresser is placed on a truly level surface. Using a furniture wedge or small spacers under the front feet might help if the floor is uneven.
3. Inspect the connection between the side panels and the bottom panel. Sometimes misaligned joints cause the entire piece of furniture to lean in one direction.
4. Another important point is aligning the dresser with the wall mounting. Is the dresser firmly flush against the wall, or is a screw angled in a way that creates forward pulling forces?
If you provide more information, I can offer more specific advice regarding potential assembly errors. How exactly did you assemble the dresser? Was it put together entirely by yourself or by someone else?
I would like to complement and clarify PLOMA’s approach:
The Malm dresser often does not have adjustable feet, so an uneven surface can actually cause the piece to tilt. The safest way to level the dresser is to use furniture shims. These can be discreetly placed under the front corners to prevent it from tipping forward.
Additionally, the screws at the dresser’s corner joints should be checked and tightened if necessary. A poorly secured back panel significantly reduces stability.
Wall mounting definitely serves as a safety measure and should not be the primary method to conceal leveling issues. It is better to ensure the dresser is properly aligned from the start.
The Malm dresser often does not have adjustable feet, so an uneven surface can actually cause the piece to tilt. The safest way to level the dresser is to use furniture shims. These can be discreetly placed under the front corners to prevent it from tipping forward.
Additionally, the screws at the dresser’s corner joints should be checked and tightened if necessary. A poorly secured back panel significantly reduces stability.
Wall mounting definitely serves as a safety measure and should not be the primary method to conceal leveling issues. It is better to ensure the dresser is properly aligned from the start.
Here is a simple step-by-step guide to leveling your Malm chest of drawers:
1. First, check the floor under the chest using a spirit level.
2. If the floor is uneven, use furniture shims under the front feet. There are plastic or rubber shims specifically designed for this purpose.
3. Check all the screw connections of the chest and tighten them if necessary. Pay special attention to the back panel and side panels to ensure they are firmly secured.
4. Secure the chest to the wall with the fasteners included in the set, but make sure it is not pulled forward in the process.
5. Open each drawer individually to check if their movement improves or worsens after leveling.
If the problem persists, inspect whether the floor under the chest is damaged due to age or moisture, as this can also cause warping.
Summary: Precise leveling on a flat floor plus stable screw connections are essential.
1. First, check the floor under the chest using a spirit level.
2. If the floor is uneven, use furniture shims under the front feet. There are plastic or rubber shims specifically designed for this purpose.
3. Check all the screw connections of the chest and tighten them if necessary. Pay special attention to the back panel and side panels to ensure they are firmly secured.
4. Secure the chest to the wall with the fasteners included in the set, but make sure it is not pulled forward in the process.
5. Open each drawer individually to check if their movement improves or worsens after leveling.
If the problem persists, inspect whether the floor under the chest is damaged due to age or moisture, as this can also cause warping.
Summary: Precise leveling on a flat floor plus stable screw connections are essential.
klabe schrieb:
Open each drawer individually to check if adjusting it improves or worsens the movement.This is indeed a very important tip. Especially if the dresser tilts slightly forward, drawers can become misaligned or hard to open. I would also recommend carefully inspecting and cleaning the drawer slide systems – sometimes dust or small debris cause friction.
Additionally, make sure the load inside the drawers is evenly distributed. If heavy items are placed toward the front or unevenly, it increases the tendency to tilt.
If you like, I can also provide tips on how to maintain the drawer slides.
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