Hello everyone,
I recently assembled an IKEA Malm chest of drawers, but after setting it up, I noticed that it stands unevenly. It wobbles slightly and doesn’t seem to be sitting flat on the floor. I have tightened all the screws again and checked that all parts are correctly in place, but the problem persists.
My question is: What could be the possible reasons for the Malm chest of drawers being uneven after assembly, and how can I specifically correct this? Are there any special tips or adjustments to properly level the furniture despite a slightly uneven floor or minor assembly deviations?
Any help would be greatly appreciated!
I recently assembled an IKEA Malm chest of drawers, but after setting it up, I noticed that it stands unevenly. It wobbles slightly and doesn’t seem to be sitting flat on the floor. I have tightened all the screws again and checked that all parts are correctly in place, but the problem persists.
My question is: What could be the possible reasons for the Malm chest of drawers being uneven after assembly, and how can I specifically correct this? Are there any special tips or adjustments to properly level the furniture despite a slightly uneven floor or minor assembly deviations?
Any help would be greatly appreciated!
Trust me, I know the feeling when assembling furniture and it just doesn’t go smoothly. I was also worried at first with my Malm chest of drawers because it was wobbly. Sometimes a slight misalignment at the back panel or a loose part can affect everything.
It’s important to stay calm and check everything step by step. Applying a bit more force when tightening can help — but be careful not to damage anything. I was advised to secure the back panel with a few nails instead of just screws, in case the screws don’t hold properly.
If you notice the back panel is too flexible, it can make the whole piece quite unstable.
It’s important to stay calm and check everything step by step. Applying a bit more force when tightening can help — but be careful not to damage anything. I was advised to secure the back panel with a few nails instead of just screws, in case the screws don’t hold properly.
If you notice the back panel is too flexible, it can make the whole piece quite unstable.
It's interesting that uneven floors are often mentioned here.
I would also put more emphasis on accuracy during assembly. Every small misalignment, especially on the side panels, can create stress and cause the furniture to stand crooked.
Additionally, the material used in the Malm series is MDF with a foil coating, which can sometimes deform slightly under stress. Any assembly inaccuracies can therefore become more noticeable.
For precise correction, all joints should be carefully checked, and angles measured to ensure everything is square. Adjustments should then be made as needed. Floor unevenness should only be compensated for once the dresser is perfectly assembled.
dijan schrieb:
Often it's minimal floor unevenness or individual screws that are not fully tightened.
I would also put more emphasis on accuracy during assembly. Every small misalignment, especially on the side panels, can create stress and cause the furniture to stand crooked.
Additionally, the material used in the Malm series is MDF with a foil coating, which can sometimes deform slightly under stress. Any assembly inaccuracies can therefore become more noticeable.
For precise correction, all joints should be carefully checked, and angles measured to ensure everything is square. Adjustments should then be made as needed. Floor unevenness should only be compensated for once the dresser is perfectly assembled.
Victor54 schrieb:
Potential assembly deviations can become amplified this way.Exactly, the devil is often in the details. Have you tried assembling the chest of drawers on a perfectly level surface as a test? That way, you can see whether the problem lies with the chest itself or if the floor is really the culprit.
And don’t worry, the Malm isn’t fragile—you can apply a bit of extra force. 🙂 A little firmness when tightening the screws usually helps.
Victor54 schrieb:
Any small misalignment, especially with the side panels, can create stress and cause the furniture to stand unevenly.One more question on this topic: What’s the best way to check if the side panels are installed at a right angle? Should I just use a regular set square, or is there a trick that works better for furniture?
dijan schrieb:
Have you tried assembling the dresser on a perfectly level surface as a test?I will definitely try that today, thanks for the suggestion!
On the topic of squareness:
A regular set square is often too small for furniture pieces. A carpenter's square or a large metal square, which can be found inexpensively at hardware stores, is more suitable. Some also have affordable combinations of a spirit level and a square, which are very practical.
You can position the side panels against the floor and the back panel to check if everything fits snugly. Even a small gap can cause the item to stand unevenly.
Additionally, if professional tools are not available, a sheet of paper is sufficient. Place it between the edges, and if it gets stuck, the angle is good.
A regular set square is often too small for furniture pieces. A carpenter's square or a large metal square, which can be found inexpensively at hardware stores, is more suitable. Some also have affordable combinations of a spirit level and a square, which are very practical.
You can position the side panels against the floor and the back panel to check if everything fits snugly. Even a small gap can cause the item to stand unevenly.
Additionally, if professional tools are not available, a sheet of paper is sufficient. Place it between the edges, and if it gets stuck, the angle is good.
Similar topics