Hello everyone, some time ago I bought several MALM furniture pieces from IKEA, mainly dressers and nightstands. Unfortunately, I have noticed that they are somewhat unstable in daily use, especially when they are subjected to a bit of weight. My question is how to reinforce the MALM furniture afterwards to improve both stability and durability? Are there proven methods or materials to safely and permanently strengthen the construction without significantly affecting the appearance? Tips on screw connections, additional reinforcements, or possibly suitable brackets or glue would be very welcome. I look forward to your advice!
Very good tips, thank you! The idea of adding an extra back panel sounds interesting. Is it possible to simply remove the original back panel and replace it with plywood, or would it be better to attach the new back panel in addition to the original one? I’m unsure because I don’t want to alter the piece of furniture too much.
terje4 schrieb:
The idea of adding an extra back panel sounds interesting. Is it possible to simply remove the original back panel and replace it with plywood?In the case of MALM, the back panel is usually nailed or stapled in place. You can remove it carefully using a putty knife or prying tool without damaging the furniture. The plywood panel can then be glued and screwed to the inside of the side panels. Alternatively, you can mount the original back panel over the plywood, which keeps the external appearance unchanged while greatly increasing stability.
I had similar doubts as you, but instead of removing the back panel, I simply reinforced it. It was quick to do, and the furniture looks original, but the stability is much better. It is important to use thin plywood; otherwise, drilling holes for screws becomes difficult.
In summary, the following measures are effective for retrofitting MALM furniture for added reinforcement: 1) internal installation of galvanized metal brackets on all load-bearing corners, 2) use of longer screws with pre-drilled holes, 3) addition of cross braces or wooden slats for stiffening, 4) strengthening or replacing the back panel with thin plywood, and 5) applying wood glue for a permanent bond. These steps significantly enhance stability without visible changes to the exterior.
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sarGabriel18 Dec 2021 08:31Thanks to everyone for the clear tips. I am currently assembling several MALMs this way, and it is working very well.
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