ᐅ IKEA Malm dresser does not close flush – how to fix?

Hello everyone,

I have a Malm chest of drawers from IKEA, and I noticed that one of the drawers no longer sits flush with the frame. When I close the drawer, it sticks out slightly and catches a bit, which negatively affects both the appearance and functionality.

I have already checked if any screws are loose or if the wood has warped, but I couldn't find any clear cause. The mechanism seems to be intact.

Does anyone know this issue, and are there any proven repair methods that can be done by oneself? I would prefer not to replace the entire drawer set immediately.

I would be very grateful for tips, helpful experiences, or special tricks!

Hello, please check if the guide rails are properly aligned. Often the angle is off, which causes problems like this. Tightening the screws and slightly adjusting the guide usually helps.

Oh yes, I know that very well from my Malm! 😊 Sometimes it’s enough to just fully remove the drawer, then clean the inside of the runners a bit – dust and small debris can really cause problems.

A little WD-40 (or another lubricant) on the runners, and the drawer will slide smoothly again. And don’t worry, it sounds more complicated than it is! 😉

Here is a brief guide on how to realign Malm drawers so they close flush:

1. Fully pull out the drawer and remove it.
2. Check the metal runners on the sides for any damage or deformation.
3. Inspect the screws on the runner rails both on the drawer box and inside the chest of drawers. Tighten if necessary.
4. If the drawer front does not close flush, it is often because the runner rails are not aligned parallel.
5. Adjust the rails by slightly shifting them to correct the glide path.
6. Remove dust and debris from the rails, and if needed, apply a small amount of silicone spray as lubricant.

Important: Avoid using oil on painted surfaces as it can cause stains. If you have the right tools, you can easily do this yourself.

klo40 schrieb:
Adjust the rails by slightly shifting them to correct the sliding path.

Interesting, but I often find this to be an annoyance with IKEA furniture. The manufacturing tolerances are sometimes so large that you constantly have to readjust or just accept that drawers never fit perfectly.

You could almost think that IKEA intentionally leaves a bit of play so that you keep dealing with this issue – a kind of mini hobby 😉.

Is this really a problem with the individual pieces of furniture, or rather a systemic characteristic?

Although it is frustrating, I can only partially agree with GALEO4. IKEA furniture is functional and affordable, but it is not a benchmark for perfection. I also encountered the issue of a drawer not closing flush, which was initially quite frustrating.

mekaplo schrieb:
Does anyone know this problem, and are there proven methods for repairs that can be done yourself?

The most important insight for me was that small adjustments and a bit of patience help. Especially if you stay calm, you realize that it doesn’t have to be a big deal and that it can actually be resolved with simple measures.