Hello everyone, I own several IKEA Malm dressers, which I really appreciate – but I have one issue: the drawers often close quite hard and sometimes slam shut. I’m looking for a way to make the Malm drawers close softly to avoid the loud banging and possibly extend the furniture’s lifespan. Are there any proven methods or accessories you would recommend? Are there special dampers or adjustments worth considering? Thanks in advance!
If you are interested in retrofitting, here is a simple step-by-step guide:
1. Fully pull the drawer out of the chest of drawers.
2. Locate the rear cover or strip on the drawer – the dampers are usually attached there.
3. Use a screwdriver to remove small hooks or screws, or pre-drill holes, depending on the system.
4. Attach the soft-close damper according to the instructions; most have pre-marked drill holes.
5. Reinstall the drawer and test the closing force.
Common mistakes:
- Incorrectly aligning the damper, resulting in no soft close.
- Drilling holes in the wrong place, which affects the function.
If you encounter problems, consulting the damper manufacturer’s manual usually helps. After installation, be sure to open and close the drawer multiple times to allow the mechanism to settle.
1. Fully pull the drawer out of the chest of drawers.
2. Locate the rear cover or strip on the drawer – the dampers are usually attached there.
3. Use a screwdriver to remove small hooks or screws, or pre-drill holes, depending on the system.
4. Attach the soft-close damper according to the instructions; most have pre-marked drill holes.
5. Reinstall the drawer and test the closing force.
Common mistakes:
- Incorrectly aligning the damper, resulting in no soft close.
- Drilling holes in the wrong place, which affects the function.
If you encounter problems, consulting the damper manufacturer’s manual usually helps. After installation, be sure to open and close the drawer multiple times to allow the mechanism to settle.
If you have never worked with furniture fittings before, I recommend approaching the installation carefully and patiently. Especially with retrofit items like soft-close adapters, precise installation is important for optimal function.
That is correct; such adapters are often available online or at hardware stores. It is important to buy the right ones for the type of drawer slide you have—Malm drawers often have metal runners without a soft-close feature.
Have you also made sure that all screws are tightened firmly? Even slightly loose guides can increase loud closing noises. If you like, I can send you a brief overview with sources for purchasing.
BOSUDA schrieb:
There are special soft-close adapters for Malm drawers that gently slow them down.
That is correct; such adapters are often available online or at hardware stores. It is important to buy the right ones for the type of drawer slide you have—Malm drawers often have metal runners without a soft-close feature.
Have you also made sure that all screws are tightened firmly? Even slightly loose guides can increase loud closing noises. If you like, I can send you a brief overview with sources for purchasing.
F
FABIAN_DEO30 Oct 2015 15:06ludo43 schrieb:
Are there any proven methods or accessories you can recommend? Are there specific dampers or settings that are worth considering?Adding to my earlier comments: Another interesting option is self-adhesive dampers that can be attached to the side guide edges. These often have a shorter lifespan compared to screw-mounted models but are very easy to install.
Alternatively, you could replace the entire drawer slides with soft-close compatible rails – this is more complex technically but significantly improves comfort. The catch here is that the Malm series consists of inexpensive components that do not allow factory-installed soft-close mechanisms. This makes it difficult to replace the original hardware.
If you want to maximize satisfaction and durability, I recommend standard screw-mounted dampers, as they are mechanically more stable. The soft-close function then works very reliably. Regarding your situation: How often do you open and close the drawers per day? Sometimes the effort isn’t worth it if the use is very infrequent and the dresser is not heavily loaded.
Thank you very much for your detailed answers and tips! I will definitely try the soft-close dampers, especially the screw-on version.
I will give you feedback on how it went as soon as I have installed the dampers.
klo40 schrieb:will help me a lot, as I tend to be cautious with DIY tasks.
A step-by-step guide
FABIAN_DEO schrieb:I need to use the drawers quite often, at least several times a day, so I want to minimize wear and maximize comfort.
How often do you open and close the drawers daily?
I will give you feedback on how it went as soon as I have installed the dampers.
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