ᐅ How can I reinforce Malm nightstands to support more weight?
Created on: 31 Mar 2022 08:43
D
Dansinan
Hello everyone, I have a fairly specific issue: I own the IKEA Malm bedside tables, and I would like to increase their load capacity in my apartment without worrying that they might sag or even break over time. Specifically, I’m looking for the best ways to reinforce these bedside tables so they can support heavier items, such as heavy lamps, stacks of books, or electronic devices. It is important to me that the appearance is preserved as much as possible and that the reinforcement is not too complicated. What proven methods or materials can you recommend to effectively improve the stability of these bedside tables? Thanks in advance!
Malm tables are known for not being very sturdy, but you can improve their stability with these tips: Simply screw a thin plywood or MDF panel to the inside of the back, which supports the structure and reduces warping. Add metal brackets at the main joints, and this will hold everything firmly together. This makes the table last significantly longer under heavier loads.
Thanks in advance for the many tips! A quick question about the metal brackets: how thick should they be? I mean, are there specific dimensions or material thicknesses that have proven to work best here? And which screws are best suited for chipboard to prevent them from pulling out?
Metal brackets should be at least 1.5 to 2 mm (0.06 to 0.08 inches) thick to ensure reliable stability. For the screws, chipboard screws with a diameter of around 4–5 mm (0.16 to 0.20 inches) and a length not exceeding two-thirds of the board thickness are recommended. Pre-drilling is essential to avoid stress in the material. Additionally, the holes should be slightly larger than the screw diameter to prevent splitting.
Dansinan schrieb:
Which screws are best suited for chipboard so they don’t tear out?It’s very important to use screws with coarse threads specifically designed for chipboard! The ones supplied at IKEA or regular multi-purpose screws are not ideal. If you pre-drill, especially with a small diameter, you can effectively avoid splitting. Also, don’t apply too much force when driving the screws in! When the screws are snug, that’s already good enough :-)
A small critique: Attaching metal brackets on the outside or inside is always a solution, but it is not truly sustainable, as the chipboard material will weaken over time. In my opinion, a better approach would be a deliberately designed wooden reinforcement, for example by inserting solid wood strips inside, which are glued and screwed to the panels. This way, the load is distributed onto stronger supports. Metal brackets often cause localized stress, which can lead to repeated fractures.
Davebla schrieb:
It would be better to use deliberately designed wood reinforcement...Almost like an internal frame, so to speak :-). I like the idea, but it is a bit more complex. For those who are willing and need extra stability, it’s a great tip. For everyday use, these brackets are often sufficient. 🙂 But definitely a good point!
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