ᐅ How do I repair the drawer edges on a Malm bed?

Hello everyone,

I’ve noticed that the edges of the inner drawer panels of my IKEA Malm bed are quite damaged in some areas. The corners are chipped, and some of the veneer has come off. I’m wondering what the best way is to repair these drawer edges so they look stable and visually appealing again.

Background: The drawers are made of MDF with a thin veneer layer, and I don’t want to replace the drawers completely. Are there suitable materials and techniques to fix the edges without the repair looking too rough? Maybe adhesive tape, filler, or something else?

I would really appreciate any tips on how to repair this and what to consider, especially regarding durability and appearance.

Taranita schrieb:
The corners are chipped, and some of the veneer has come off.

How large are the damaged areas exactly? For smaller spots, wood filler often works well; you can sand and paint over it afterward. However, if there is extensive delamination, the repair might be more complicated.

Also, do you know the cause of the damage? If the material is swelling due to moisture or is constantly exposed to mechanical stress, a repair might only be a temporary solution.

If I were you, I would treat small cracks and abrasions with wood filler from the hardware store, then lightly sand and paint them with suitable varnish. For sharp edges, you can use veneer edge banding strips.

Hello Taranita,

I understand that you want to repair the drawer edges on the Malm bed without replacing everything. In general, I recommend the following steps:

1. Clean the damaged areas and remove any loose veneer pieces.
2. Use wood filler to fill gaps or missing parts. Apply it in layers, allowing each layer to dry before adding the next.
3. After it has dried, sand well to achieve a smooth surface.
4. Touch up with a matching paint or varnish to blend it visually.
5. Optional: Apply edge protection tape to prevent further damage.

If you are unsure about the wood filler or finishes, it might be a good idea to test them first on an inconspicuous spot.

Good luck with the repair!

Jamalli schrieb:
With large-scale peeling, it might not be that simple.

Exactly. For chipped veneer, the repair depends largely on the extent of the damage. For small defects, wood filler or specially colored repair wax sticks are suitable to cover minor chips.

If the surface is severely damaged, applying a thin wood veneer with contact adhesive can be an option, although this is more challenging to work with.

Finally, I always recommend a protective finish (e.g., clear varnish) to prevent new damage or moisture penetration.

The MDF panels of the Malm bed are sensitive to moisture, so the surrounding environment is also important to avoid follow-up damage.

It’s really great that there are so many repair options! 🙂

I had similar damage on the corner of the drawer of my Malm bed, and I simply used repair wax (wood-colored) to fill it in – it worked very quickly and the result looked quite neat. After that, I applied a thin veneer tape, which provides extra protection.

My tip: Start small; it builds confidence for tackling larger areas! 🙂