ᐅ How can MALM furniture be protected during transport?

Hello everyone, I have a somewhat more specific question for the community: How can Malm furniture—especially dressers and wardrobes from this series—be effectively and safely protected during transport, whether moving them within an apartment or relocating to a new home?

I am particularly interested in tips on the best padding materials, proper handling when loading, and how to protect delicate surfaces and edges to avoid damage such as scratches, dents, or even breaks.

The reason is that I will be moving soon and want to avoid damaging these fairly delicate pieces of furniture. I would really appreciate well-informed advice or personal experiences that could help.

The best way to protect MALM furniture is with bubble wrap and blankets. Be sure to add extra padding to the edges; foam works very well for this.

Also, during transport, make sure to keep the furniture upright and avoid stacking.

Hello Wilhelm51,

Your concern is certainly valid, as MALM furniture is made from particleboard, which does not tolerate mechanical stress or impact points very well. In principle, you should keep the following points in mind during transport:

1. If possible, disassemble the furniture. Especially remove drawers and pack them separately.
2. Protect the surfaces with protective films – bubble wrap is the classic choice, but special furniture blankets made of felt also work well.
3. Cushion edges thoroughly; foam edge protectors or simply rolled-up blankets are suitable here.
4. When loading, try to keep the furniture stable by transporting it upright rather than on its side or lying down.

As an additional question: How long is the transport route? Are you using your own vehicle or a rented moving truck? The duration and driving style also affect the required level of protection.

ronAlberto schrieb:
As an additional question: How long is the transportation route? Are you using your own vehicle or a rented moving van?

Thank you for the detailed advice. The move is within the city, with a driving time of about 30 minutes using a rented cargo van. I will remove the drawers and mostly disassemble the furniture.

I find your comments about vertical transport especially important, as these pieces likely do not withstand lateral stresses well. I’m also wondering if it makes sense to wrap everything in stretch film after padding?

Stretch wrap is useful for securing padding and keeping dirt away. However, it does not provide impact protection.

For structural safety:

- Attach protective materials so they do not come loose during loading and unloading.
- Ensure that individual furniture pieces cannot slide against each other.
- Use non-slip mats in the vehicle.

Additionally, special rubber edge protectors can be purchased for corners, offering better grip and protection than simple padding.

The combination of padding, edge protection, and securing is essential.

taotis53 schrieb:
Stretch film is useful for securing padding and keeping dirt away.

I see it differently: Stretch film does hold everything together, but you should also consider that it reduces the breathability of all materials used. During longer transports, moisture can accumulate underneath and potentially damage the surface.

Whether stretch film is truly recommended depends on the specific situation. It is fine for short transports in heated environments, but can be problematic for longer trips or when temperatures vary.