ᐅ How can I repair broken corners on Malm furniture?

Hello everyone, I recently broke some corners off one of my Malm furniture pieces from IKEA. These are the typical edges that tend to be quite fragile due to the particleboard and the veneered surface. Now I would like to know the best way to repair these broken corners so that the spot becomes as invisible and stable as possible. Which materials and techniques are most suitable for this? Do I need to sand, fill, or are there special repair kits available? I would appreciate advice that is easy for beginners to follow, as I want to avoid buying new furniture if possible. Thank you in advance!

Hey, this is a great topic! :-) I’ve also had trouble with my MALM corners. My tip: wood filler + fine sandpaper + maybe a little paint from the hardware store! Simply fill the broken corner with wood filler, smooth it out nicely, and once it’s dry, sand it until the shape fits again. Then touch it up with some matching varnish or wood paint. This method always works pretty well for me! And don’t worry, even if you’re not a pro, you can manage it! The most important thing is not to apply too much filler at once—better to work in layers. Good luck, and let me know how it goes! :-)

TARNE schrieb:
Wood filler + fine sandpaper + maybe some paint from the hardware store!

Basically, a good approach, but caution is needed with MALM furniture due to the thin veneer and particleboard. I recommend lightly roughening the broken edges before applying the filler to improve adhesion. Also, the wood filler should be fine-textured and suitable for MDF or particleboard. If paint is used, it’s advisable to apply a primer first to better seal the surface and minimize color differences.

A specialized repair kit for furniture edges can also be helpful, especially since these often contain waxes or putty that remain flexible. These kits usually allow for color matching. It is important to apply the repair carefully in several thin layers. Finally, a matte clear coat can be applied to fix and protect the color tone.

Hello dietmarl70,

I would like to add a few tips to complement the previous advice that might help you repair the broken corners of the MALM.

First, it is important to thoroughly clean the broken areas, removing dust and loose particles. Then you can restore the shape using wood filler. I recommend using a fine putty knife or even special templates made from cardboard or thin plastic to help shape the edges more precisely.

TARNE schrieb:
The most important thing is not to apply too much filler at once; it’s better to work in layers.

I agree completely, as this prevents cracks or uneven surfaces.

After drying, sand the edge smoothly with fine sandpaper (e.g., grit 220 to 320) and then apply matching wood paint or varnish. It is advisable to choose products that closely match the original color—sometimes mixing several shades helps.

If you prefer, you can also use a glaze that replicates the veneer’s semi-transparency.

For MALM, it is also possible to glue on small veneer pieces if larger parts are missing, but this requires some practice.

If you have any further questions, feel free to ask!