ᐅ IKEA Malm Nightstand Wobbles Despite Screws – Possible Causes?

Hello everyone,

I have an issue with my IKEA Malm nightstand: despite assembling it correctly with all screws tightened as instructed, it still wobbles and doesn’t feel stable. I have checked and retightened all screws several times following the manual, but the wobbling remains unchanged. It doesn’t seem to be just a loose screw; I suspect either the connection to the clamping surfaces isn’t ideal, or the wood at the joints may already be slightly giving way.

Does anyone have any idea what typical causes might be for this? Could it be related to the assembly order, the screws used, or possibly the material quality? I would appreciate any advice, since the nightstand’s design is quite simple, but unfortunately, it doesn’t seem to be stable.

Thanks in advance!

kakome schrieb:
Does anyone have an idea what typical causes could be responsible for this?

Good morning,

I can give you a few common reasons why a Malm bedside table might wobble despite being screwed together:

1. Assembly sequence not followed: With IKEA furniture, it is often important to follow a specific order to properly tension the connections. If you screw the side panels first, then the back panel, and only attach the front last, wobbling can occur.

2. Screws not driven in deeply enough: For particleboard, it is important to countersink the screws so they hold firmly, especially at corner joints.

3. Using the wrong type or too short screws: This can significantly reduce stability at critical points.

4. Uneven supporting surfaces: If the furniture bottom or legs do not sit flat, or if there are small irregularities or chips in the wood at the connection points, the structure loses stability.

5. Material fatigue: If the bedside table is older, the particleboard near the screw points may have swollen or come loose.

My advice: Check the screws again in the recommended order, press the joints lightly together while tightening, and test each screw by hand to make sure nothing moves. Using wood glue in the joints may help if the material itself remains solid.

Hope this helps!

harold schrieb:
Screws not driven in deep enough

Can confirm that. Also check if the screws actually engage at the end of the drilled holes.

kakome schrieb:
Could it also be related to the assembly sequence...?

The assembly sequence is important, otherwise the parts can become misaligned.

harold schrieb:
Uneven support surfaces

An uneven surface under the feet can also cause wobbling. Simply placing a thin felt pad underneath often stabilizes it.

kakome schrieb:
wobbles despite correct screwing

I know this all too well! In my case, tiny, invisible wood splinters prevented the screws from tightening properly. It can also help not just to tighten the screws but to slightly loosen them by turning counterclockwise and then tighten them again – this ensures a better distribution of tension.

Additionally, I would recommend placing felt pads underneath if the floor isn’t completely level – this greatly improves stability and protects the floor surface.

Sometimes, even a small mistake during assembly can cause this – don’t get discouraged, just check it again 😉 Good luck!