Hello everyone,
I recently purchased an IKEA Malm dresser and I am facing the challenge of how to set it up in a completely stable way. The dresser is placed on a slightly uneven laminate floor and still shows slight wobbling despite all screws and fastenings. I want to prevent it from shaking or tipping over later due to carelessness, especially because there are small children in the household.
My specific question is: What practical measures and tools are available to ensure the IKEA Malm dresser stands securely and permanently on a somewhat uneven floor? I am particularly interested in the best ways to handle unevenness, whether additional shims or pads are useful, and what wall fastening options should be considered.
I look forward to experiences, tips, and also critiques on possible safety aspects I may not have considered yet.
I recently purchased an IKEA Malm dresser and I am facing the challenge of how to set it up in a completely stable way. The dresser is placed on a slightly uneven laminate floor and still shows slight wobbling despite all screws and fastenings. I want to prevent it from shaking or tipping over later due to carelessness, especially because there are small children in the household.
My specific question is: What practical measures and tools are available to ensure the IKEA Malm dresser stands securely and permanently on a somewhat uneven floor? I am particularly interested in the best ways to handle unevenness, whether additional shims or pads are useful, and what wall fastening options should be considered.
I look forward to experiences, tips, and also critiques on possible safety aspects I may not have considered yet.
Hello lesi58,
I find your question very reasonable and would like to answer it in detail, as the topic truly deserves more depth.
Basically, the stability of a Malm dresser starts with preparing the floor. Since you have laminate flooring, which can have minor surface unevenness, I recommend first using a spirit level to determine any tilt.
Due to various floor irregularities, you can use adjustable furniture glides with leveling screws—these are height-adjustable and allow precise alignment. You can turn the screws until the dresser is perfectly level.
It is important to secure the dresser to the wall after leveling. IKEA usually provides brackets for this purpose, which you should ideally attach at two or more points near the top. Use appropriate wall plugs that suit your wall material (e.g., cavity wall anchors for drywall).
Additionally, felt or rubber pads under the furniture feet can help reduce vibrations and prevent slipping on laminate flooring.
One last point I want to highlight: always check whether the dresser hinges or drawers stick due to imbalance, as this can affect the internal stability.
Is it possible to retrofit the dresser with steel legs? IKEA offers furniture legs that can be mounted, which often improves stability.
Besides uneven floors, do you have any other special conditions that should be considered?
I find your question very reasonable and would like to answer it in detail, as the topic truly deserves more depth.
Basically, the stability of a Malm dresser starts with preparing the floor. Since you have laminate flooring, which can have minor surface unevenness, I recommend first using a spirit level to determine any tilt.
Due to various floor irregularities, you can use adjustable furniture glides with leveling screws—these are height-adjustable and allow precise alignment. You can turn the screws until the dresser is perfectly level.
It is important to secure the dresser to the wall after leveling. IKEA usually provides brackets for this purpose, which you should ideally attach at two or more points near the top. Use appropriate wall plugs that suit your wall material (e.g., cavity wall anchors for drywall).
Additionally, felt or rubber pads under the furniture feet can help reduce vibrations and prevent slipping on laminate flooring.
One last point I want to highlight: always check whether the dresser hinges or drawers stick due to imbalance, as this can affect the internal stability.
Is it possible to retrofit the dresser with steel legs? IKEA offers furniture legs that can be mounted, which often improves stability.
Besides uneven floors, do you have any other special conditions that should be considered?
V
vincent4628 Mar 2021 11:05Thank you for the detailed explanation, Surela!
I believe it is really important to take furniture safety seriously, especially in households with children.
I myself was concerned some time ago when assembling a Malm chest of drawers. After testing with washers under the legs and securing it to a wall, I was able to significantly reduce the wobbling.
That’s also a good point, as it’s pointless to secure the chest to the wall if the anchors don’t suit the wall type. I would recommend asking for advice at your local hardware store about which anchors are best for your wall.
You shouldn’t hesitate to seek professional help or advice from specialists, as safety comes first!
Have you already checked what type of wall material you have?
I believe it is really important to take furniture safety seriously, especially in households with children.
I myself was concerned some time ago when assembling a Malm chest of drawers. After testing with washers under the legs and securing it to a wall, I was able to significantly reduce the wobbling.
Surela schrieb:
use suitable wall anchors that match your wall material (e.g., cavity anchors for drywall).
That’s also a good point, as it’s pointless to secure the chest to the wall if the anchors don’t suit the wall type. I would recommend asking for advice at your local hardware store about which anchors are best for your wall.
You shouldn’t hesitate to seek professional help or advice from specialists, as safety comes first!
Have you already checked what type of wall material you have?
I would like to offer a slightly different perspective.
The whole concern about stability with IKEA dressers seems a bit exaggerated to me. Sure, they are low-cost furniture – you don’t get high-end carpentry quality, but for everyday home use, these pieces are solid enough.
Honestly, the biggest safety risk is not the furniture construction but careless handling. If children climb on furniture, no anchor or fastener will fully prevent accidents.
That said, I admit wall mounting makes sense – but many don’t do it and still have no issues. This shows it also depends on how the furniture is used.
For those who want to be extra cautious, I recommend practical floor wedges, plastic spacers under the feet, or felt pads. These usually solve the problem without much effort.
Most major problems occur when the furniture is assembled incorrectly. How was your assembly? Was everything installed properly and were all screws tightened securely?
The whole concern about stability with IKEA dressers seems a bit exaggerated to me. Sure, they are low-cost furniture – you don’t get high-end carpentry quality, but for everyday home use, these pieces are solid enough.
lesi58 schrieb:
Avoid wobbling or tipping over later due to carelessness, especially with small children in the household
Honestly, the biggest safety risk is not the furniture construction but careless handling. If children climb on furniture, no anchor or fastener will fully prevent accidents.
That said, I admit wall mounting makes sense – but many don’t do it and still have no issues. This shows it also depends on how the furniture is used.
For those who want to be extra cautious, I recommend practical floor wedges, plastic spacers under the feet, or felt pads. These usually solve the problem without much effort.
Most major problems occur when the furniture is assembled incorrectly. How was your assembly? Was everything installed properly and were all screws tightened securely?
Thank you for the various perspectives so far, very helpful!
@theota: Yes, I really assembled it carefully, checked all the screws multiple times, and even tightened them firmly again. Still, the dresser is a bit unstable on my laminate floor, which is not perfectly even.
That's why I’m looking for additional leveling methods.
@vincent46: The wall is regular plaster over brickwork, not drywall. I think standard plastic anchors should be sufficient there.
@Surela: Thanks, good idea about the furniture feet that IKEA sells separately, I will check those out.
Does anyone have experience with special leveling feet or anti-slip mats for this purpose? Tips on optimal wall mounting are also welcome!
@theota: Yes, I really assembled it carefully, checked all the screws multiple times, and even tightened them firmly again. Still, the dresser is a bit unstable on my laminate floor, which is not perfectly even.
theota schrieb:
The main problems usually occur when the furniture is assembled incorrectly. How was your assembly? Everything mounted properly and all screws tightened?
That's why I’m looking for additional leveling methods.
@vincent46: The wall is regular plaster over brickwork, not drywall. I think standard plastic anchors should be sufficient there.
@Surela: Thanks, good idea about the furniture feet that IKEA sells separately, I will check those out.
Does anyone have experience with special leveling feet or anti-slip mats for this purpose? Tips on optimal wall mounting are also welcome!
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