Hello everyone, I want to upgrade my IKEA Malm dresser with additional drawers. Unfortunately, I no longer have the original drawer set and wonder how I can retrofit these without having to buy a complete new dresser. Are there practical solutions that are also reliable in terms of stability and functionality? Additionally, I would like to know if it’s better to use the original drawer slides or if there are compatible alternatives that you would recommend. Who has experience with retrofitting MALM drawers and can share specific tips on materials, tools, or techniques? Thanks a lot!
Additional to the topic: When choosing the material for self-built drawers, I recommend always covering the edges with edge banding or edge protectors.
This protects against moisture and significantly increases the durability of the drawers.
Also, using wooden dowels instead of just screws improves stability and prevents joints from twisting over time.
If you are looking for authentic drawers, the second-hand market through platforms like eBay Classifieds or local flea markets is often a good option. There, you can often find complete drawer sets—which is better than individual pieces to get well-fitting complete solutions.
This protects against moisture and significantly increases the durability of the drawers.
Also, using wooden dowels instead of just screws improves stability and prevents joints from twisting over time.
If you are looking for authentic drawers, the second-hand market through platforms like eBay Classifieds or local flea markets is often a good option. There, you can often find complete drawer sets—which is better than individual pieces to get well-fitting complete solutions.
An addition for retrofitting: When installing new drawers in a Malm dresser, it is often more practical to keep the existing drawer slides and precisely cut the new drawer boxes to fit them.
Inaccurate cutting can cause the drawers to become misaligned and lead to rapid wear of the drawer slides.
Tip: After assembly, open and close the drawers several times before attaching the front panel. This allows you to correct any minor misalignments.
For long-term stability, I recommend using a high-quality wood glue and enough screws – this prevents the drawers from wobbling, especially with regular use.
Inaccurate cutting can cause the drawers to become misaligned and lead to rapid wear of the drawer slides.
Tip: After assembly, open and close the drawers several times before attaching the front panel. This allows you to correct any minor misalignments.
For long-term stability, I recommend using a high-quality wood glue and enough screws – this prevents the drawers from wobbling, especially with regular use.
Joe52 schrieb:
I believe that those who are somewhat skilled with DIY have a good chance of creating an excellent solution through self-construction.I completely agree! I would just add that anyone wanting to fully rebuild the MALM drawers themselves should also consider the material for the slide rails. Often, the original slides are made of metal, which is why most people prefer to keep them or replace them with compatible metal full-extension drawer slides.
gesar32 schrieb:
Use screws of the appropriate length to avoid penetrating through the sides of the dresser.A very important point—especially with thin side panels on the dresser, using screws that are too long can cause unsightly damage.
One more workaround for missing original drawers: there are also professional carpentry solutions that offer custom-made drawers with properly integrated slides based on experience. Of course, this costs more but is more convenient than measuring and building everything yourself.
If anyone is interested, I can find out more details.
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