ᐅ How can I practically modify Malm furniture?

Hello everyone,

I am planning to modify my Ikea Malm furniture to make it more practical and better suited to my needs. Specifically, I have a Malm chest of drawers with four drawers, which doesn’t offer quite enough storage space for me. I am considering whether adding shelves or installing organizer systems inside could create more order and storage capacity. I am also thinking about whether removing the drawer fronts and converting the unit into open shelving might be useful.

I’m mainly interested in which modification options are practical and proven to work well in real use, without compromising stability or design too much. Who has experience and can offer tips on how to practically modify Malm furniture? I’m not looking for decoration advice; it’s really about practical alterations and ways to enhance usability.

Thanks in advance!

Hello,

for more practical use of Malm dressers, I recommend installing drawer dividers made of wood or plastic. These improve organization by dividing the storage space into separate compartments.

Alternatively, removing the top drawer and installing a shelf insert can create additional open storage areas. This is especially useful if frequently used items need to be kept within easy reach.

Additionally, when making modifications, it is advisable to connect the individual particleboard panels with extra screws and angled brackets to ensure stability.

I have had good experience simply gluing plain wooden slats inside drawers to organize the storage space. It is quick and cost-effective.

Hey, this topic is really exciting! 🙂 I turned my Malm chest of drawers into a small desk by installing a pull-out top – super practical and it looks great!

I also highly recommend using self-adhesive felt pads on interior surfaces to prevent scratches during modifications. Good luck, and don’t be discouraged – the flexibility of these parts is truly amazing!

I am particularly interested in how you handled stability when removing drawers or taking off front panels. I also want to do some modifications, but I am concerned about keeping the structure intact. Maybe someone can share how they solved this?

Also, I find it fascinating how small modifications can give ordinary furniture pieces a completely new function.

lomin schrieb:
I am particularly interested in how you dealt with stability when removing drawers or taking off front panels?

Very important question. Removing drawer fronts can affect stability, as these parts contribute to the rigid frame structure.

I recommend reinforcing the connection points on the side panels with metal brackets and screws. Additionally, installing sturdy back panels is possible. If the furniture back panel is made of thin hardboard, adding a plywood sheet can provide extra stability.