ᐅ How can damage to Malm drawer sides be repaired?

Hello everyone, I urgently need advice on the topic "How to repair damage to Malm drawer sides?" Specifically, I have cracks and chips on the sides of the drawers caused by regular pulling and pressure. Since the Malm furniture from Ikea is made of particleboard and relatively thin, I am wondering how to repair this damage as simply and durably as possible without having to replace the entire drawer. Which methods, materials, or techniques are recommended to maintain stability and restore the appearance as much as possible? I would appreciate any tips, especially if you have done such repairs yourself or know of robust solutions.

gidobu schrieb:
Since the Malm furniture from Ikea is made of particleboard and is relatively thin, I’m wondering how to repair such damage as simply and durably as possible

The question is whether, given the material quality of Malm, you can really talk about sustainability when it comes to repairs. Particleboard is simply prone to damage and hardly withstands mechanical stress. A long-lasting fix that goes beyond basic adhesives will be difficult.

I would rather question whether a repair is economically reasonable or if it would be better to invest in a complete replacement. If the original appearance is important to you, repairs are often only a temporary solution. Have you already checked whether the problem might actually be caused by the slides or the way the furniture is used, in order to prevent further damage?

BLAKEO schrieb:
Particleboard is simply prone to damage and hardly withstands mechanical stress

That is basically true, but Malm drawers can be repaired if the right materials are used. For cracks or breaks on the sides, I usually use wood glue combined with clamps to ensure the material bonds properly and regains stability.

If the drawer sides are split, small wood or metal reinforcements, such as thin strips screwed on the inside of the sides, can also help. These provide additional strength and can prevent further splitting. It is important to clean off all residues like dust or old glue and lightly sand the surface before repair so the glue adheres better.

Afterwards, repair filler can be used to even out holes or dents and make the surface look neat again. Finally, sanding and painting or covering with a veneer or laminate completes the repair for appearance and protection.

Although these repairs are not professional quality, they significantly extend the drawer's lifespan.

I can completely understand how frustrating it is when Malm drawers suffer wear and tear from everyday use, and you neither have the money nor the desire to buy new ones.

Some time ago, I had similar damage to my drawers and actually decided on a combination: wood glue plus thin metal brackets inside for reinforcement. This helped me restore stability, even with heavier loads like cutlery and kitchen utensils.

What held me back a bit at first was the fear that the metal brackets might spoil the inside appearance. I simply used them sparingly and mounted the brackets in less visible spots.

After the repair, I accepted the situation as minor signs of use. Some things just can’t be made like new again, which is okay.

I’m wondering if it might also be possible to work with special veneer strips to better conceal the look. Has anyone had experience with that?

FLONE41 schrieb:
I’m wondering if it might also work to use special veneer strips to better conceal the appearance

Absolutely, that works very well! Just cut small veneer strips to size and glue them on with special wood glue. I like to use iron-on veneer tape, which looks really good and even protects the repaired area against further moisture or wear.

And to avoid a “DIY” look, make sure to sand thoroughly beforehand, fill any gaps, and then gently sand again with fine-grit sandpaper. The result can be surprisingly good if you work cleanly.

Also, if the Malm drawer sides have deeper cracks, I strongly recommend reinforcing the area from the inside with small wooden battens. Otherwise, the repair will only last a short time.

Great to see so many thoughtful contributions here 🙂

keelko schrieb:
If the Malm drawer sides have deeper cracks, I strongly recommend reinforcing the area from the inside with small wooden strips.

Thanks to everyone so far for the great tips! Just a quick update: I’ve noticed the exact problem with the thin particleboard and its lack of stability. Now I plan to carefully glue the larger cracks first with wood glue and then attach small reinforcing strips as suggested.

I agree with BLAKEO’s point about considering a complete replacement in the long term. But since the drawers are still in decent shape, I want to try the repair first.

Flone, your experience with metal brackets sounds interesting too, but I want to try the wooden strips first because I prefer to avoid using metal indoors.

I really like the idea of veneer strips for the appearance and will keep that in mind.

If anyone has tips on the exact material choice, please share! I’m thinking of using Ponal wood glue and simple pine strips. Are these materials suitable for this purpose?