ᐅ IKEA Malm Bedside Table Wobbles – What Can Be Done?

Hello everyone,

I recently got an IKEA Malm nightstand and noticed that it sometimes wobbles when I gently push it, which is a bit annoying. The construction looks stable at first glance, but something seems off—maybe the screws aren’t tight enough, or there are unevenness issues with the legs? The nightstand is standing on a hardwood floor, which might also have an effect.

I’m interested in knowing: What are common causes for this wobbling with the MALM nightstand, and what targeted steps can I take to fix the problem permanently without damaging the furniture? I’m generally good with technical stuff but want to make sure I don’t overlook anything. Thanks for your advice!

First, check all the screws and tighten them if necessary. Loose screws are often the cause of wobbling. If the floor is uneven, you can stick small felt pads under the feet.

Hello Parli42,

I am familiar with this issue. Usually, wobbling with MALM nightstands is caused either by uneven assembly or slight wood warping after extended use.

An important point is not just tightening the screws, but doing so carefully to avoid damaging the material. You should also check that the furniture legs sit fully and evenly on the floor. For hardwood flooring, it’s often helpful to attach felt pads, since the floor can sometimes be slightly uneven, which helps distribute the weight better.

If you want to be absolutely sure, you can also check whether the back panel is still firmly in place. Sometimes a loose back panel contributes to the wobbling.

Good luck—you can definitely fix this!

Hello Parli42,

regarding your issue with the wobbling MALM nightstand, there are some technical details to keep in mind.

First of all, the MALM nightstand is made of particleboard and is held together with cam locks and other fasteners. If the assembly is not precise or if there is slight material movement due to temperature and humidity changes, the connections can loosen slightly, causing the wobbling.

Important:
1. Tighten the screws and cam locks, preferably with an Allen key, as this allows for more even torque than a Phillips screwdriver.
2. Check if the back panel of the nightstand is correctly positioned and not warped, as it provides stability.
3. Especially with hardwood or laminate flooring, it is advisable to use a spirit level to ensure the floor is truly even at that spot. Even minor unevenness can cause wobbling.
4. If the nightstand’s feet do not have adjustable pads, I recommend using felt pads or small rubber bumpers to compensate for unevenness and gently secure the furniture on the floor.

Could you let me know if the nightstand was already wobbling right after assembly, or if the problem occurred over time? This might give clues about material deformation or assembly errors.

Best regards!

Hey Parli42,

I had the same experience with my MALM nightstand – it feels like it could tip over any second, even just from setting down a water bottle 😉

My tip: Give the feet some comfortable felt pads, which helps protect the hardwood floor and stabilizes the base. Retightening the screws is also essential.

Sometimes there are just small uneven spots, and these little felt friends work wonders. 😊

Good luck! It’s always better to sleep on something solid rather than wobbly 🙂

Surela schrieb:
Could you maybe say whether the nightstand was wobbly immediately after assembly or if the problem developed over time?

Thanks for the detailed information! Actually, I only noticed the wobbling after about two weeks of use, since I moved the furniture board several times and also readjusted it occasionally. I had already tightened the screws again – but not with the Allen key, more ‘by force’ and partly by hand with a screwdriver. Maybe that’s the issue?

The back panel appears to be straight as far as I can see, but I will check it more closely and also use a level to check the floor.