ᐅ Are there any supporting components or structural elements available for MALM furniture?

Hello everyone,

I recently purchased several Malm furniture pieces and noticed that some parts, especially under heavier loads or frequent use, are not as sturdy as I would like. Therefore, I am interested in whether there are any support components specifically designed for Malm furniture from IKEA or recommended by the community to improve the stability and durability of the furniture.

Specifically, I am thinking of additional fittings, reinforcement brackets, strong connectors, or similar products that can be added without affecting the appearance or functionality. Perhaps you also have tips on how to reinforce drawer slides or base supports effectively. I would also like to know if there are official IKEA parts or third-party products that have proven reliable.

I look forward to your experiences and recommendations!

Hi,

There are no official IKEA add-on parts specifically for MALM. However, you can use universal metal brackets or screws to make the furniture more stable. Simply attach them underneath or inside where they are less visible.

For drawers, reinforced runners from third-party suppliers often work very well.

Hello Fatimaneo,

first of all, a clear answer: there are no specific "reinforcement components" provided by IKEA for MALM furniture, except for the standard assembly materials. However, there are several ways to improve stability.

1. Metal reinforcement in high-stress areas: sheet metal profiles or simple metal angle brackets can be attached to the back panels or inside edges. It is important to use the correct screws and anchors to avoid damaging the material.

2. Upgrade drawer slides: the original ones can sometimes become loose under heavier loads. Retrofitting with more robust full-extension slides, preferably with ball bearings, increases durability and usability.

3. Additional shelf supports: the supports holding the shelves can be replaced with sturdier metal options. This makes a noticeable difference, especially when storing heavy items inside the cabinet.

4. Reinforce the back panels: many MALM wardrobes have back panels made of thin hardboard. Adding a plywood or thin OSB board as an extra layer can improve overall stability.

A tip: always first check that your furniture is correctly assembled and that all connectors are securely tightened. Often, minor adjustments help before starting with any reinforcements.

In summary: since no specific IKEA parts are offered, some DIY work is needed—but with a bit of basic craftsmanship, you can effectively reinforce MALM furniture.

Landontau schrieb:
One tip: Always first check if your piece of furniture is properly assembled and if all the fasteners are tightened securely.

I think that’s a very important point! I once tried to drill into MALM dressers and reinforce them with brackets, but most of the time my problem was that I hadn’t tightened the screws enough or a connection had loosened slightly over time.

Sometimes it can feel overwhelming to think about adding technical reinforcements, but often it helps just to regularly check the furniture and tighten everything well.

In everyday use, I also get annoyed that the drawers start to creak or become a bit wobbly over time. I’m currently considering simply replacing the drawer slides, but I was concerned about the actual installation.

Does anyone perhaps know of a simple guide or a good source for replacement parts for the MALM drawer runners? That would be really helpful, as honestly I can’t afford the more expensive full-extension slides.

Thanks in advance for all the helpful tips here. 🙂