ᐅ Are there special screws to secure Malm furniture more safely?

Are there special screws to secure Malm furniture more safely?

I am currently assembling a few Malm dressers from Ikea in my apartment. I noticed that the original screws don’t always seem very sturdy, especially when attaching the furniture to the wall to prevent tipping.

My question is: Are there specially designed or recommended screws that work better for Malm furniture when it comes to securing it safely to the wall or floor? I mean screws that might be thicker, longer, have a specific coating, or even special anchors that better match the material.

Maybe you have experience with which screws are truly recommended and significantly improve safety? Thanks for your advice!

BARFAR39 schrieb:
Are there any specially designed or recommended screws that are better suited for Malm furniture when it comes to safely securing it to walls or floors?

Hello! In general, the screws provided by Ikea are sufficient for normal use of the Malm series. However, if you want to secure the furniture further, especially to prevent tipping, I recommend using high-quality universal screws combined with appropriate wall anchors that match the wall material (e.g., expansion anchors for concrete or cavity anchors for drywall). It’s important to fix the screws and anchors into the wall, not just into the furniture.

For the furniture itself, using angle brackets or special anti-tip fittings is advisable; these are screwed both into the furniture and the wall. These screws are usually a bit longer and more robust than the standard ones.

Also, be careful not to screw directly into the thin particleboard of the furniture. Instead, use the metal fittings provided by Ikea or alternatively sturdy wood screws with a suitable thread profile.

If you like, I can also compile the exact specifications for the recommended screws and anchors.

For increased safety with Malm furniture, I recommend using special wall mounting brackets along with wood screws that are 30-40 mm (1.2-1.6 inches) long, combined with appropriate wall anchors. The original screws are often too short for secure wall installation.

Regarding the choice of screws for Malm furniture: Most Malm pieces are made from particleboard with foil-coated surfaces, which limits the strength of screw connections. For a more secure attachment, screws with coarse wood threads specifically designed for particleboard are recommended.

When mounting on walls, the focus should be on selecting the appropriate anchors. In concrete or masonry walls, expansion anchors combined with suitable particleboard screws (approximately 6x40 mm (1/4 x 1 5/8 inches) in length) are common. For drywall (plasterboard) walls, special cavity anchors used with longer screws are advisable.

A good practice is to avoid screwing directly into the furniture panels and instead secure existing mounting brackets or furniture angle brackets with larger and longer screws. This maximizes the stability of the wall connection.

In summary: Using specialized particleboard screws along with the correct anchors is key to securely fastening Malm furniture.

kyledeo schrieb:
For extra safety with Malm furniture, I recommend special wall mounts and wood screws that are 30-40 mm (1.2-1.6 inches) long

Exactly! I would add: it’s worth investing a bit more in screws and wall plugs because they last longer and are stronger than the cheap standard ones.

Malm furniture is actually very nice, but without secure wall mounting, it can easily become a tipping hazard. A little tip: we found that metal brackets work well as additional support. This way, you can effectively double-secure the furniture. Comfortable and safe – all without much effort. 🙂

Here is a brief summary of how to securely fasten Malm furniture:

1. Screw type: Use chipboard screws because they have a special thread and pointed tip that grip chipboard better. The length should be at least 35 to 40 mm (1.4 to 1.6 inches) to provide sufficient hold.

2. Anchors: Choose anchors appropriate for the wall material (cavity, concrete, masonry). For example, nylon expansion anchors for concrete or toggle bolts for drywall.

3. Furniture fittings: Use the original mounting points and, if needed, additional corner brackets to ensure a stable connection between the furniture and the wall.

4. Installation method: Do not screw directly into the thin back panels or shelves, as these can break easily. The side panels of Malm furniture are more robust.

Common mistakes include using screws that are too short or unsuitable anchors, which make the fastening unstable.

Building supply stores can often help you choose the right screws, as they provide exactly what you need.