ᐅ How long does the finish on Malm furniture typically last under normal use?

Hello everyone, I have a rather specific question that some of you who have Malm furniture from IKEA might have dealt with: How long does the finish on Malm furniture actually last under normal daily use in a living room or bedroom?

I’m not referring to extreme wear, but rather regular use, such as placing clothes on the dressers or using the surfaces for decorative items. I’m especially interested in how durable this finish really is, whether it is prone to scratches, signs of wear, or discoloration, and how long the appearance remains intact.

Many manufacturers rarely provide exact information on the durability of furniture finishes, so I would appreciate hearing firsthand experiences, especially regarding Malm dressers and tables. Thanks in advance for your input!

marsel61 schrieb:
I am particularly interested in how durable this finish actually is, whether it is prone to scratches, signs of wear, or discoloration, and how long the appearance lasts.

The finish on the Malm series typically consists of a thin coating applied by machine onto medium-density fiberboard (MDF). Under normal use—meaning without heavy mechanical stress or harsh cleaning agents—this finish usually lasts between 5 and 8 years before visible signs of wear appear.

Common damage includes minor scratches from keys or rings, as well as dull spots, especially on heavily used surfaces. The coating is not as durable as those found on more expensive solid wood furniture but is relatively easy to maintain.

It’s great that you brought up this topic! 🙂 I’ve had my Malm dresser in the bedroom for about 6 years now, and the surface still looks great! Of course, there are some small scratches, but nothing noticeable unless you look very closely.

I often place my phone, books, and decorations on it, and I don’t use any harsh cleaners. So under what I’d call “normal use,” I find the durability really quite good! Hopefully, this helps you as a reference point! ;-)

The finish on my Malm dresser lasted about 4 years without significant wear. After that, the first fine scratches appeared.
Cleaning with a damp cloth is sufficient; do not use abrasive cleaners.

REOHEINRIC schrieb:
Under normal use, the paint layer usually lasts between 5 and 8 years before visible signs of wear appear.

I can confirm this estimate, as several furniture reviews and consumer magazine test reports consistently show exactly this time span.

However, it is especially important for durability that no moisture remains on the surface for extended periods, as this can damage the paint layer.

For those interested in more technical details: The Malm surfaces are coated with a PU synthetic resin lacquer commonly used in furniture manufacturing. This lacquer cures very quickly, is smooth, and gives the furniture its characteristic shine.

As long as no sharp objects are applied with strong force to damage the surface, the lacquer layer is highly resistant to normal wear such as dusting or light pressure.

However, it is important to note that any scratches are difficult to repair because the lacquer is thin and cannot be recoated without visible mismatches.