ᐅ How can I increase the stability of Malm dressers?

Hello everyone, I have several Malm dressers from IKEA at home, and I’ve noticed that especially the larger models with multiple drawers sometimes don’t seem very sturdy, particularly when they’re loaded or slightly moved. My question is: How can I effectively improve the stability of Malm dressers without affecting their appearance or functionality? Are there proven methods or reinforcements that can be added by myself to reduce wobbling or the risk of tipping over? It would also be great if you could share any experiences where certain measures made a noticeable difference.

The stability of Malm dressers can be improved on several levels. First and foremost, securing them to the wall is the most important safety feature, as the dressers can otherwise tip over. IKEA usually includes fastening hardware for this purpose, which you should definitely use.

In addition to wall mounting, it is advisable to check the connection points at the corners and tighten them if necessary, as screws can loosen over time.

You can also reinforce the shelves and drawer slides by replacing the original screws with longer or stronger ones.

Assembly on uneven floors can be adjusted using small adjustable feet or shims to prevent wobbling.

A combination of wall mounting, checking and tightening screws, and adjusting the base is therefore optimal to significantly increase stability.

LUISABEL schrieb:
Wall mounting is the most important.

Exactly, use the included wall brackets and check all screws. If the floor is uneven, it’s best to remove small felt pads and use firm supports.

I would like to emphasize again that the problematic area with Malm dressers is often the drawer slides. Once these become worn out, it can lead to instability, especially when the dresser is loaded with weight.

One method that has helped me is readjusting the track and occasionally lubricating it with a suitable lubricant to prevent jamming. Additionally, you can attach thin metal brackets to the inner edges of the back panel to increase frame stability. This does not affect the appearance since the brackets are placed on the inside.

Finally, I recommend not placing the dresser in heavily trafficked areas without securing it to the wall, as this increases the risk of tipping.

florentla schrieb:
How can I effectively increase the stability of Malm dressers without compromising the appearance or function?

I find this question interesting because it suggests that improvement is possible without altering the original construction. Overall, Malm dressers are well-designed for their price, but the thin material of the side panels is a weak point.

One way to reinforce the structure is by using special mounting brackets that are screwed on the inside with small screws, so the surface remains visibly undamaged. Alternatively, thin plywood strips can be glued and screwed into the corners to increase torsional rigidity.

The problem, however, is the weight. If the dresser is overloaded or loaded with heavy items, reinforcements can only do so much. Therefore, I recommend distributing the load evenly and avoiding stacking heavy items in every drawer.

Finally, a thought about wall mounting: it would be helpful to know what kind of surface the dresser is placed on, as anchors and fixings must be chosen accordingly to ensure safety.