ᐅ Why does my Malm bed creak when I sit down?

Hello everyone,

I recently got a Malm bed from IKEA and noticed that it regularly creaks when I sit down. I found that the sound mostly occurs when I move from a sitting position to lying down or leaning on the bed. The noise sounds like a dry, rubbing creak, which seems to come from the frame areas.

Do you have any idea what might be causing this? I suspect that the joints where the slatted bed base connects to the frame might not be fully tight or are creaking due to friction. I’m also wondering if the material plays a role here – it’s made of particleboard with a foil finish.

I want to avoid the problem getting worse or causing damage over time. If you have any experience with this bed or similar models, I would really appreciate tips or advice on how to effectively prevent the creaking.

Thanks in advance for your help!

Baaref schrieb:
it mostly occurs when I lie down or lean on the bed from a sitting position

Hello Baaref,

the creaking in furniture like your Malm bed is often related to small movements at the joints, especially when these are not completely rigid. The particleboard and the laminate coating can shift slightly against each other, which under load causes the typical creaking sound.

Practically, it often helps to tighten the screws on the frame and the slatted frame again – especially for furniture that has just been assembled, things can loosen quite a bit. It is also advisable to check all wooden parts for any unevenness or tiny gaps. In some cases, you can reduce friction with special lubricants (e.g., furniture wax or silicone spray, but use cautiously).

If your bed has been in use for a longer time, slightly bent or worn structural details could also cause the problem. Have you tried loosening and repositioning the slatted frame completely?

In general: creaking is unfortunately common with IKEA furniture, but it can often be fixed well with a bit of fine adjustment. Feel free to reach out if you have any more questions!

Julien schrieb:
to properly tighten the screws on the frame and the slatted bed base again

I would not accept this assumption without reservation. While it makes sense that loose screws can cause creaking noises, not every Malm frame has the same issue.

Interestingly, the creaking could also be caused by material fatigue or settling within the bed structure itself. The foil coating on the particleboard may react when stresses change—for example, due to fluctuating room temperatures or humidity.

I find it puzzling that the original poster mentions the creaking mainly occurs when sitting down, as this involves a sudden shift in load. However, a simple screw misalignment should cause similar noises under different pressures or movements in the bed.

Therefore, it would be interesting to know if the creaking also happens during other movements in the bed or after longer use. Additionally, are there more details about the construction—such as whether the headboard was insulated with silicone or if washers were used?

Such details can be crucial in influencing this phenomenon.

Baaref schrieb:
I want to avoid the problem getting worse or causing damage over time.

I can definitely understand how annoying constant creaking can be—especially when you just want to relax and instead keep hearing that noise.

My situation was quite similar with the Malm bed. I first checked and tightened all the screws, applied felt pads to the contact points, and made sure the slatted frame was properly positioned. I also replaced the glides under the bed legs, which helped absorb small unevenness quickly.

It might also be useful to slightly lift the bed frame and inspect the beams for any cracks or dents.

Sometimes the causes are in small, hardly visible spots. Staying calm helps here—and there’s usually no need to worry about the material right away; small adjustments can often make a big difference. I hope you find a quick solution and can enjoy a noise-free, relaxing evening again! 🙂