ᐅ Can I replace Malm drawer handles myself?

Hello everyone, some time ago I bought the Malm chest of drawers set from IKEA and now I am wondering if I can replace the drawer handles myself. I am mainly interested in technical aspects such as: Are the handles easy to remove, or is special tooling required? Are there any specific features of this series that might make replacement difficult, for example glued parts or unusual fasteners? Secondly, can I easily fit other handles, such as metal or wood ones, or will they not be mechanically compatible? I would really appreciate any experiences or tips you might have.

Yes, you can definitely do this yourself. Malm drawer handles are usually attached from the inside with two screws. Simply unscrew from the inside, remove the old handle, attach the new handle, and tighten the screws. Standard tools are sufficient, usually a Phillips screwdriver. New handles should have the same hole spacing; otherwise, you will need to drill new holes.

It's great that you want to try this yourself! :-) Exactly, gojan7 is right, the handles are basically easy to replace, and it's really fun to customize the dresser that way! Just be patient when screwing them in, and it will work out perfectly. And if the handles don't fit exactly, it's not a big deal—you can do a lot with a little re-drilling! Good luck!

gojan7 schrieb:
Malm drawer handles are usually attached from the inside with two screws.

That is correct. The drawer front on the Malm model is thin, so care should be taken to avoid damaging the surface. If the new handles have a different hole spacing, precise measurements and the appropriate drill bit are necessary. Using a drill bit with a small diameter for the pilot holes is recommended to achieve a clean result and prevent cracks in the material.

I often wonder if there are more elegant solutions than constantly changing the handles. The Malm series is designed to keep everything simple and clean. So why not maintain that look and instead add accents with other pieces of furniture? Of course, if someone really wants to change the handles and enjoys DIY, that’s perfectly fine. Just a tip: many people end up making a mess when redrilling the drawer fronts—this can cause problems if you’re inexperienced.

LIELCHEN schrieb:
There are plenty of people who really mess things up when they redrill the drawer front – trouble is guaranteed if you’re inexperienced.

That’s an important point. If you’re doing this for the first time, you should definitely make a sketch and mark the new drill holes using the handle template. A sturdy workbench and a drill press help improve accuracy. It is also recommended to do a test drill on a scrap piece of wood first, if available.