ᐅ Why Does My Malm Nightstand Creak When It’s Loaded?

I have had an Ikea Malm bedside table for some time, and I’ve noticed that it starts to squeak under load. More specifically, when I place something heavy on it or even lean against it, I hear this annoying squeaking noise. It seems to come mostly from the connection between the drawer and the main body. Since I don’t want to just leave it as is, I’m wondering: What could be causing the squeaking of my Malm bedside table under load? Is it material fatigue, overly tight screws, or are there other mechanical factors involved? It would be great if someone with experience or knowledge could provide some insight.

Squeaking often occurs due to friction at connection points or slightly loose screws. It is best to check all screws and tighten them if necessary. Applying some lubricant to the moving parts can also help.

You can also check if the drawer slides are clean or if dust or fibers are trapped inside. This often causes noises when moving or under load.

That can be really annoying, especially when you lie down on the bed and suddenly hear that squeaking. I once had something like that with an old piece of furniture, and it actually got worse over time. In my experience, even minor wear or slight deformations in the joints can cause it. But don’t worry, it’s often easy to fix, and there’s a good feeling when you find and solve the problem.

Maybe you should also check if the base feet are level and stable. A slight wobble can cause additional stress that might explain the squeaking.

It is interesting to know whether the squeaking occurs only under static load or also when the drawer is moving. Under static load, material stresses or excessive pressure points between the wood and the connecting strips could be the cause. During movement, I would rather think of mechanical friction or dirt. Could it be that the nightstand is located in a high-humidity environment? Wood expands and contracts, which can cause squeaking.