ᐅ Malm nightstand wobbles despite wall attachment – how can I secure it properly?

Hello everyone,

I recently purchased a Malm bedside table from IKEA and mounted it to the wall following the instructions to prevent wobbling. However, the bedside table still noticeably wobbles when lightly bumped. I installed the wall mount using the included anchors and screws, and the wall is a plastered concrete wall. I am wondering what might be causing this and how to properly secure the bedside table so it no longer wobbles.

Does anyone have experience with the MALM bedside table and wall mounting, especially on a concrete wall? Should I use different anchors or possibly an additional fastening method?

Thanks in advance for any helpful tips and advice!

gilau schrieb:
I attached the nightstand to a plastered concrete wall, but it still wobbles noticeably.

The wobbling despite wall mounting can have several causes, especially when dealing with a plastered concrete wall.

First of all: plastered surfaces often have irregularities or even loose areas, which can affect the load-bearing capacity of the anchors. Have you checked if the plaster at the mounting location is firmly attached? A simple tapping test (gently tapping with a finger or a small hammer) can detect hollow spots. If the plaster is loose in any area, it will be necessary either to reposition the mounting or to expose and re-plaster visibly damaged sections.

Regarding the anchors: for a concrete wall, heavy-duty anchors or metal anchors are generally more suitable than simple plastic anchors. The supplied plastic anchors are often standard ones for drywall or solid walls but can sometimes be insufficient for plaster and concrete.

My advice: use metal expansion anchors (e.g., Fischer UX or Fischer SXR) – these are more robust and better able to handle the weight and shear forces. Also, make sure to tighten the screws fully—not just hand-tight, but slightly beyond the recommended torque.

The wall mounting of the MALM nightstand is secured with special metal brackets, right? Check if these brackets sit flush against the inside of the cabinet and that no gaps exist. If the furniture is moved between the floor and the wall, the mounting must transfer all forces completely.

How did you screw the screws into the nightstand? Are all dowels and connectors correctly installed so that no cabinet parts “move” and cause the wobbling?

In short: check the quality of the substrate, the anchor type, the exact tightening of the mounting screws, and the cabinet assembly.

Could you also describe how strong the wobbling is? Is it minimal, or noticeable already with light pressure? This can help determine the cause more precisely.

kibutar schrieb:
Plastered surfaces may contain loose areas where anchors do not hold properly.

Use heavy-duty anchors designed for concrete; standard ones are not sufficient. Tighten the screws properly, and this should resolve the issue.

gilau schrieb:
Does anyone have experience with the MALM nightstand and wall mounting, especially on a concrete wall? Do I possibly need to use different anchors or an additional mounting method?

To properly secure the MALM nightstand on a plastered concrete wall and prevent it from wobbling, the following points should be considered:

1. Anchor type: Always use heavy-duty anchors (metal) that are rated for concrete. The plastic anchors supplied by IKEA are often insufficient for the load.

2. Drill hole check: Before inserting the anchors, make sure the drill holes are free of dust and debris, ideally blown out with compressed air. The plaster must be load-bearing; loose areas will cause wobbling.

3. Screw tightening: Tighten the screws with the appropriate tool sufficiently, without damaging the cabinet.

4. Mounting inspection: Verify that the wall mounting was done according to the IKEA instructions – especially the position of the metal brackets and the tightening of tension levers or fasteners in the cabinet.

5. Additional stabilization: If the wall mount alone is not enough, consider using extra brackets or mounting on secure wall anchors.

In summary: switch to the recommended heavy-duty anchors, check the wall quality and screw tightness. This should ensure the nightstand stands firm and no longer wobbles.