ᐅ How can I prevent scratches on Malm furniture?

Created on: 15 Feb 2022 08:37
P
Plokenji33
Good morning everyone,

Some time ago, I bought a few pieces of furniture from the Malm series by Ikea and I’m quite unsure about how to prevent scratches in the long term. Especially during everyday use, when you place or move things on the surfaces daily, they seem very sensitive.

I’m particularly interested in which preventive measures are truly effective without limiting usage — for example, surface protectors, special care products, or specific rules for handling.

Also, does anyone have experience with certain protective films or mats that can effectively protect the furniture from scratches without making it look odd afterwards?

Thanks in advance for your tips and advice!
A
Ankeli
15 Feb 2022 11:05
If you have scratches, sometimes special furniture polish pens can help by adjusting the color and thus reducing their appearance.
E
Elodie
15 Feb 2022 12:17
Hey, working with Malm really is a bit of an art 🙂 I always use soft placemats on the dresser and under decorative items, plus felt pads and regular care with furniture polish.
TELAHAU schrieb:
Better to prevent than to repair.
I totally agree! Protect your furniture like a pro and enjoy the look for longer. 🙂
K
koneo
16 Feb 2022 08:23
I would like to point out that Malm furniture is not made of solid wood but usually consists of particleboard coated with laminate. This makes it more affordable but also more prone to damage due to its construction.

This means that small bumps and scratches are more likely to leave visible marks.

My advice: for everyday items like keys or jewelry, it’s worth placing a small dish or box on the furniture to protect it directly and prevent scratches from sharp edges.
P
Plokenji33
16 Feb 2022 09:04
Interesting point about the material structure. That explains a lot.

What about the choice of location – how does it affect maintenance and durability? For example, near windows due to sunlight exposure or in corners with a lot of movement? Does this noticeably impact the surface of Malm furniture?
L
LENNAU
16 Feb 2022 09:51
Sunlight can naturally cause the surface to fade and also accelerate material aging, which may appear as small cracks or stresses.
koneo schrieb:
Malm furniture is not solid wood furniture, but mostly made of particleboard covered with veneers.

This is important because genuine wood damage is more difficult to repair.

The location should therefore be as protected from light as possible, and movement should ideally not occur directly on the furniture.

Soft felt pads provide excellent protection against scratches but do not protect against UV effects or moisture. So it is better to choose a slightly shaded spot.
E
Elodie
16 Feb 2022 11:45
Update based on my own experience: I have my Malm dresser placed near a large window, and after a few months, some slight discoloration appeared. Now there is a thin curtain in front of it, which helps. I also use felt pads on the drawers to prevent the edges from rubbing.
Plokenji33 schrieb:
What about the choice of location – does it affect maintenance and durability?

Location is really more important than you might think. 🙂