Hello everyone,
I recently purchased an IKEA Malm chest of drawers and would like to add two extra handles to make it more personalized and practical. Since the Malm series originally comes with only a simple handle solution, I am wondering how to securely attach additional handles without damaging the furniture.
I am particularly interested in which fastening methods are suitable, whether it is possible to drill into the chest of drawers for this purpose, or if there are alternative installation options that remain stable and visually appealing. It would also be helpful to know which tools and materials I will need and if this modification affects the durability or stability of the chest.
I look forward to any helpful tips and experiences.
Thank you in advance!
I recently purchased an IKEA Malm chest of drawers and would like to add two extra handles to make it more personalized and practical. Since the Malm series originally comes with only a simple handle solution, I am wondering how to securely attach additional handles without damaging the furniture.
I am particularly interested in which fastening methods are suitable, whether it is possible to drill into the chest of drawers for this purpose, or if there are alternative installation options that remain stable and visually appealing. It would also be helpful to know which tools and materials I will need and if this modification affects the durability or stability of the chest.
I look forward to any helpful tips and experiences.
Thank you in advance!
Hello BEATE68,
I’d be happy to give you a clear explanation on how to attach additional handles to a Malm chest of drawers.
1. Material check: The Malm chest is made of particleboard with a laminated finish, so you should be careful when drilling.
2. Drilling holes: If you want to install extra handles, you can pre-drill the chest at the desired spots. It is important to use a drill bit that is not too wide – usually 3-4 mm (about 1/8–5/32 inch) is enough for the screws of the handles.
3. Avoiding chipping: To prevent the laminate from chipping while drilling, I recommend scoring a small indentation first with a sharp cutter; this helps guide the drill bit precisely.
4. Choosing screw length: The handle screws should not be too long. Measure the thickness of the board and get screws that just go through the panel so nothing protrudes inside.
5. Installation: Position the handle from the outside, insert and tighten the screw from the inside. Be careful not to tighten the screws too much to avoid crushing the particleboard.
6. Alternative: If you prefer not to drill, there are also self-adhesive handles or handle strips that can be attached with double-sided mounting tape – however, their durability is limited.
Summary: Drilling is possible and the most durable option if done carefully. Tools: drill, 3-4 mm (about 1/8–5/32 inch) drill bit, screwdriver, cutter. Materials: screws matching the handles.
I hope this helps you!
I’d be happy to give you a clear explanation on how to attach additional handles to a Malm chest of drawers.
1. Material check: The Malm chest is made of particleboard with a laminated finish, so you should be careful when drilling.
2. Drilling holes: If you want to install extra handles, you can pre-drill the chest at the desired spots. It is important to use a drill bit that is not too wide – usually 3-4 mm (about 1/8–5/32 inch) is enough for the screws of the handles.
3. Avoiding chipping: To prevent the laminate from chipping while drilling, I recommend scoring a small indentation first with a sharp cutter; this helps guide the drill bit precisely.
4. Choosing screw length: The handle screws should not be too long. Measure the thickness of the board and get screws that just go through the panel so nothing protrudes inside.
5. Installation: Position the handle from the outside, insert and tighten the screw from the inside. Be careful not to tighten the screws too much to avoid crushing the particleboard.
6. Alternative: If you prefer not to drill, there are also self-adhesive handles or handle strips that can be attached with double-sided mounting tape – however, their durability is limited.
Summary: Drilling is possible and the most durable option if done carefully. Tools: drill, 3-4 mm (about 1/8–5/32 inch) drill bit, screwdriver, cutter. Materials: screws matching the handles.
I hope this helps you!
tolokau schrieb:
If you want to install additional handles, you can pre-drill the dresser at the desired spotsThat is the core of the matter.
Additionally, I recommend measuring the handle positions carefully before installation and using a square or template to ensure symmetrical placement. It’s also advisable to pre-drill with a fine-thread drill bit if the screws are thin, as this reduces the risk of the wood splitting.
Furthermore, using a cordless drill with adjustable torque is recommended to avoid over-tightening the screws and damaging the surface.
Pre-drilling generally does not affect the stability of the dresser, as long as you don’t make too many holes and the screws are properly sized.
I would like to point out that you should not only consider stability but also aesthetics. Many people make the mistake of not aligning the handles properly, which significantly affects the overall appearance.
Regarding alternative mounting: in my experience, adhesive handles are more suitable for light use, such as drawers that are rarely loaded. For frequent use, like daily drawers, I recommend the classic mounting with screws.
Why not simply install a panel on which the handles are mounted? This reduces the direct stress on the furniture surface and can make installation easier. Of course, the material must be adjusted accordingly and the panel designed decoratively.
BEATE68 schrieb:
whether it is possible to drill into the chest of drawers for this purpose or if there are alternative mounting options that remain stable while also looking good
Regarding alternative mounting: in my experience, adhesive handles are more suitable for light use, such as drawers that are rarely loaded. For frequent use, like daily drawers, I recommend the classic mounting with screws.
Why not simply install a panel on which the handles are mounted? This reduces the direct stress on the furniture surface and can make installation easier. Of course, the material must be adjusted accordingly and the panel designed decoratively.
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