ᐅ Are there Malm dressers with more durable drawers?

Hello everyone,

I have a question that I’m sure many of you with Ikea furniture know: Are there Malm dressers with more durable drawers?

My experience with the standard models is that the drawers become a bit stiff over time and sometimes develop play or stop closing properly. I’m interested to know if there are versions or alternatives that improve the stability and durability of the drawers. Perhaps there are also retrofit options recommended for reinforcement?

For me, it’s especially important that the drawers remain durable, even with regular use and occasionally heavier loads. So if you have any tips, experiences, or specific models that differ from the standard Malm, that would be really helpful.

Thanks in advance for your replies!

There are no official Malm models with reinforced drawers from Ikea. However, you can replace the drawer slides with higher-quality metal versions, which often adds significantly more stability.

janfo schrieb:
Replace drawer slides with higher-quality metal variants

Exactly. The original Malm drawers use simple roller slides that wear out quickly under heavy load. Alternative full-extension ball-bearing slides can significantly improve stability and smooth operation, but they are not provided by the manufacturer and require some carpentry skills for installation.

Another option is to reinforce the drawer fronts and side panels with additional supports, such as hardwood strips, which increases load capacity and reduces lateral play.

I’m wondering whether the issue really lies with the drawers themselves or if the frame construction of the entire piece of furniture is actually the problem.

Putting aside drawer slide upgrades: Has anyone checked if the construction has been improved in the newer Malm models? Sometimes Ikea makes small optimizations without completely redesigning the product. These kinds of details should also be considered before investing a lot of money in DIY solutions.

In my experience, it also helps not to overload the drawers. Malm is designed more for normal weight. If you need heavy-duty capacity, consider other product lines instead.

I completely understand your frustration! 🙂 The Malm drawers in my place also didn’t last very long. I ended up retrofitting better drawer slides and lubricating the tracks, which helped a lot. It is some effort, but it makes using them much more pleasant again.

Sometimes you feel quite alone with these kinds of problems, so I’m glad you brought this up here.