ᐅ How can I build Malm dressers more sturdily?

Hello everyone,

I own several IKEA Malm dressers and have noticed that, especially under heavier loads, they can sometimes feel a bit unstable. My goal is to assemble these dressers more securely, particularly to avoid wobbling or even the risk of tipping when they are fully loaded or when an unevenly weighted item is placed on top. I am wondering if there are any special assembly tips, such as specific reinforcements or additional screws that can be used. Maybe there are also alternative materials or techniques to improve the connections between the individual parts. Does anyone have experience or advice on how to make Malm dressers safer and more stable? I would appreciate ideas that can be implemented without much effort. Thanks in advance for your helpful answers!

I would recommend tightening all supplied screws completely, even if they initially feel a bit loose. Additionally, securing the dresser to the wall always helps and makes a big difference.

That's great that you pay such close attention to that! 🙂 I added small angle brackets to the inner corners of my Malm dressers for extra stability. Just buy suitable brackets at the hardware store and screw them in from the inside. It saves a lot of hassle and isn't visible from the outside. Building it this solidly is really impressive!

Manalo schrieb:
Knows and partially uses basic technical terms.

It helps to analyze more closely why the chest of drawers feels unstable. Simply reinforcing it with brackets is often a quick fix without proper support.

The Malm chest of drawers is made from particleboard, with the fasteners going through the knock-in nuts at the joints. The resistance to tipping usually depends on the carcass design. Strengthening the connection between the back panel and the side panels, for example with thicker screws or additional cross braces, noticeably improves stability.

Have you checked whether the back panel is properly positioned and secured? The narrow back panel contributes significantly to lateral stability; often it is either installed twisted or not stapled tightly enough.

I would not rely solely on adding more brackets but reconsider the overall construction in terms of load distribution.

I can well understand how stressful a wobbly dresser can be – especially when it feels like everything is about to tip over. I feel the same way, which is why I always make sure to align the wall anchoring precisely on my Malm dressers and additionally attach small wooden strips at the back, screwed under the back panel – this further stabilizes the entire structure.

Sometimes I still feel unsure if that is enough; exchanging experiences with others here in the forum often helps to find even better solutions.

To build Malm dressers more securely, the following steps are recommended:
1. Use all original screws provided, tighten them carefully, and check the fit of all parts.
2. The back panel should be firmly attached. Dry chipboard tends to warp; if necessary, reinforcing it with glue and additional small nails (fine brad nails) can help.
3. Additional angle-shaped metal braces inside (e.g., at the bottom) significantly increase lateral stability.
4. Always use the wall attachment supplied by IKEA, as it minimizes the risk of tipping.
5. Whenever possible, use screws with a larger diameter and longer wooden dowels as replacements during adjustments.

These measures are based on structural best practices and many years of experience in furniture assembly.