ᐅ How can I assemble Malm dressers more quickly?

Hello everyone,

I recently ordered a Malm dresser from Ikea and want to assemble it as quickly and efficiently as possible. Although the instructions are fairly clear, I’ve noticed that most steps, including installing the drawers and assembling the side panels, take quite a bit of time. Often, I have to reposition the parts several times to align them correctly.

I’m interested in whether anyone here in the forum has practical tips or tricks that truly save time without compromising the stability or quality of the finished furniture. For example: Are there standard tools that help speed up the process, or is there a particular assembly order that has proven effective?

Any advice on common pitfalls that unnecessarily extend the process would also be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance for sharing your experiences!

Hello gethin43,

I can totally understand that you want to optimize the Malm assembly – adjusting and properly aligning the parts can sometimes be quite tricky.

One tip that always works well for me: invest in a cordless drill with adjustable torque before starting the assembly. This saves a lot of time with the many screws and also prevents over-tightening, which can damage the wood. This is especially helpful when working with the drawer slides and side panels.

I also recommend laying out all the parts beforehand and sorting them according to the instructions. This way, you don’t have to keep searching for the next piece while working.

Regarding the order of assembly: it helps to fully assemble the carcass first and only then insert the drawers. This avoids unnecessary back-and-forth and allows you to secure the parts more stably.

If you like, I can also share some details about positioning the drawer slides – mistakes here are common and often need fixing later.

Good luck with the assembly! 🙂

Tevin schrieb:
One tip that always works well for me: invest in a cordless screwdriver with adjustable torque before starting assembly.

I can definitely agree with that. I always feel like using a proper cordless screwdriver almost becomes a rewarding workout ;-)

Here’s a little trick of mine: when assembling drawers, I first insert the screws loosely, not tightening them fully, and then align all the parts again. This prevents having to do too much readjusting later.

And of course, I also sort the screws neatly on small plates – there’s something almost meditative about preparing the order like that. 🙂

And on a lighter note: always have some good music playing, it even speeds up the process mentally! 😉

Which model do you have exactly?

Tevin schrieb:
It helps to fully assemble the main frame first and only then insert the drawers.

That sounds very reasonable – I had assembled the drawers first, which unfortunately turned out to be tedious and confusing.

PECLARISSA schrieb:
When assembling the drawers, I initially screw in the screws only loosely, so without fully tightening them

I will try that on my second attempt; it really sounds like a smart way to avoid rework.

By the way, my model is the typical Malm 3-drawer dresser in white, article number 103.548.21 – not the largest, but perfect for the bedroom.

Are there any other tools besides the cordless drill that might be useful? A hammer makes sense for nails, but here almost everything uses screws and dowels. Would an Allen key set also be helpful for fine adjustments? Thanks for your advice!

A cordless drill, a set of hex keys (Allen wrenches), and possibly a rubber mallet are exactly what you need.

A rubber mallet helps to insert wooden dowels without damaging them.

Hex keys are usually for small screws, while a cordless drill is used for larger ones.

Proper preparation of the parts saves the most time.

meoreo schrieb:
Properly preparing the parts saves the most time.

I agree with that, but I wouldn’t consider the instructions absolute. Sometimes a slightly modified process can be faster—especially if you’ve assembled several Malm dressers before and know which steps can be combined.

Also, while stability is important, Ikea furniture generally tolerates a few optimizations as long as you pay attention to the key connection points.

The workspace is important too—adequate lighting and enough room make handling much easier. For example, assembling the dresser on a sturdy table rather than crouching on the floor will speed up the process.

Finally, I’d recommend: Don’t rush! Working quickly works better when you’re calm and methodical. Often, what seems like lost time is caused by fumbling due to haste.

Good luck!