ᐅ How can I secure MALM dressers to prevent tipping?

Hello everyone,

I have several MALM dressers at home and am becoming increasingly concerned about their tipping stability. Especially when you have small children or pets, the risk of the dressers tipping over should not be underestimated, in my opinion. Therefore, I’m looking for proven and reliable methods to secure these MALM dressers against tipping.

I am particularly interested in which products have proven effective, how difficult the installation is, whether special tools are needed, and if the safety measures are truly reliable, especially during sudden movements.

I would greatly appreciate any tips, experiences, or advice on common mistakes when securing them.

Thank you in advance!

Parne49 schrieb:
I have several MALM dressers at home and am becoming increasingly concerned about their tipping safety.

I completely understand that. I also had a dresser like that and was often worried it might tip over, especially as my little one became more mobile.

At the time, I bought the tip-over safety straps from IKEA — those small metal straps that you attach to both the wall and the dresser. I didn’t find the installation difficult; depending on the type of wall, you just need the appropriate anchors. It’s important to secure them firmly, not just into drywall or thin plasterboard.

What I found especially reassuring is that these safety straps are discreet and hardly noticeable, yet you can feel that the dresser is rock solid. One drawback might be that they’re not very quick to remove, but that wasn’t an issue for me.

Of course, you should also make sure to tighten the screws well and check after a few months that everything is still secure.

I hope this helps you a bit. 🙂

I would recommend securing it to the wall, ideally using metal brackets or anti-tip devices like those from IKEA.

Installation: 2-4 screws into the chest of drawers, 2-4 into the wall. Choose wall anchors according to the wall type.

Tools needed: drill, screwdriver, possibly a spirit level. Quite straightforward overall.

floga schrieb:
These safety anchors are unobtrusive and barely visible, yet you can feel that the dresser is rock solid.

I agree with that. Additionally, I would like to add that for MALM dressers, the anti-tip anchors should be installed not only on the back but ideally also at the bottom between the dresser and the wall.

This reduces the lever arm during tipping, which significantly increases stability.

Also, if you live in a rental property, check beforehand whether you are allowed to install wall anchors – sometimes there are restrictions. If not, anti-tip grips for floors can also help as a supplement; they provide good friction and prevent the dresser from sliding easily.

If you prefer a more flexible option, there are also quick-release anti-tip anchors that can be undone with one hand when you want to move the dresser.

I know it can be a bit annoying to install everything so precisely, but in an emergency, the effort is definitely worth it.

Parne49 schrieb:
I’m looking for proven and reliable methods to secure these MALM dressers against tipping over.

Hey, very important topic, especially since the MALM dressers are quite slim and tend to tip over easily.

I would recommend not only using the standard anti-tip hardware that comes with them but also considering adding anti-slip pads underneath. These prevent the dresser from sliding and are very easy to install.

Additionally, you can improve the wall anchors by using expansion anchors that provide better hold. This is particularly important if you don’t have a concrete wall but rather drywall or plasterboard, where good anchors are a must.

And very important: check regularly to make sure the safety fittings are still tight. If children climb on the dresser, things can loosen quickly.

A little tip at the end: I once read that some people use a small strap with Velcro, which is unobtrusive visually and can provide extra security if needed. Maybe that would work for you too?

Don’t stress too much— with the right fastening, these pieces are really safe— nothing will happen :-) Good luck!