ᐅ How do I fix loose joints on Malm beds?

Hello everyone,

Some time ago, I bought a Malm bed from Ikea, and I have noticed that over time, some of the joints, especially at the corners and the slatted frame, have become looser. This mainly involves the screws and dowels that hold the bed together. My specific question is: How can I repair loose connections on Malm beds in a lasting way to keep the bed stable without needing constant retightening? Are there any special tools or tricks you would recommend to reinforce the fastenings?

I have considered using wood glue on the dowels or maybe stronger screws, but I am unsure if this could cause damage or void the warranty. Additionally, I would be interested to hear if anyone has experience with alternative fastening methods that solve this issue permanently.

Thanks in advance for any helpful tips!

rilodra schrieb:
How can I sustainably fix loose joints on Malm beds so that the bed stays stable and doesn’t need constant tightening?

Hey, that’s a great question! Malm beds are great, but with those particle boards and typical dowels, some wobbling can happen. My tip: Nothing should stay loose, so first fully loosen all screws and dowels and check whether the holes are still solid or have become worn out.

If the holes start to "enlarge," it helps to glue the dowels in place with wood glue (preferably waterproof) and then tighten everything firmly during reassembly. 🙂

Alternatively, you can try replacing the dowels with slightly larger ones and swapping the screws for longer, higher-quality ones. Sometimes it’s worth paying a bit extra for really sturdy screws. To sum up: Make sure everything fits tightly and work with wood glue, and the wobbling will stop 🙂

rekijan schrieb:
If the holes start to “widen,” it helps to glue the dowels in place with wood glue (preferably waterproof)

Exactly, that’s a good method to repair worn-out dowel holes. I recommend the following steps:

1. Disassemble the bed frame, meaning remove screws and dowels.
2. Lightly sand the worn holes with fine-grit sandpaper.
3. Fill the holes with some wood filler or wood putty and let it dry.
4. Then apply waterproof wood glue generously inside the holes.
5. Insert new, precisely fitting wooden dowels—make sure they’re not too dry to avoid shrinking.
6. Reassemble using high-quality screws, as original ones are often quite soft.

Common mistakes to avoid: inserting dowels without glue or using overly strong screws that can split the particleboard. Also, avoid plastic dowels for furniture—they usually have less holding power. I guarantee after this repair your Malm bed will be rock solid again.

rilodra schrieb:
Are there any special tools or tricks you would recommend to secure the brackets?

I always use a cordless drill with a torque limiter to avoid over-tightening. Also, so-called hex keys (Allen wrenches) work perfectly for most IKEA furniture. For the Malm bed connections, I recommend slightly loosening the screws after the initial tightening and then tightening them again a bit more – this helps release the stresses in the panels. 🙂

Additionally, if you’re feeling adventurous, you can insert small wooden shims into damaged holes or even glue wooden dowels into the holes for extra grip. However, usually, properly retightening the screws with wood glue applied to the dowels is enough. And hey, you don’t need to be a professional for this – a little time and patience go a long way. Good luck! 🙂

I would like to add that when it comes to Malm beds, special attention should be paid to the connection of the slatted frame. The side rails are usually made of lacquered particleboard, which is prone to tearing out.

If the screws remain loose over time, you can fill the drilled holes with so-called "wood repair dowels" or high-quality wood filler putty like Moltofill, let it cure, and then drill new holes accurately.

This preserves the holding strength and stability of the bed for several years.

Another tip: screws with a larger diameter made of stainless steel can help if the original fasteners fail. Make sure to check the length to avoid puncturing through the material.

Simply tightening the screws repeatedly is often not enough and only puts unnecessary strain on the connection points.