ᐅ Malm dresser wobbles despite following the assembly instructions – what should be considered?

Hello everyone, I recently assembled a Malm dresser, but unfortunately it wobbles significantly despite strictly following the included assembly instructions. All contact surfaces are flat, and all screws are tightened securely, yet this annoying movement still occurs.

My question is: What should be kept in mind when assembling a Malm dresser to avoid wobbling? Are there common weak points or tips that are not mentioned in the instructions? Could it also be related to the floor or the type of fastening used? I appreciate any advice that can help me fix this issue.

milake schrieb:
The bearing surfaces are all flat, and all screws are tight

That sounds good so far. Did you properly fasten the supplied angle brackets and check the adjustable foot glides? Sometimes small unevenness in the floor can be compensated by adjusting the feet.

To effectively prevent wobbling in a Malm chest of drawers, you should go through the following points:

1. Check all connection points to ensure they are tight, especially the dowels in the elongated holes. These provide stability when properly seated.
2. Verify the alignment: The side panels must be exactly perpendicular to the back panel.
3. Pay attention to the floor protectors: If the floor is uneven, you can adjust these individually to reduce wobbling.
4. For safety, secure the chest of drawers to the wall if possible, using the included wall fasteners.

The importance of precise angles and a stable floor position is often underestimated. I recommend double-checking the alignment with a spirit level. If everything is done correctly, the wobbling should no longer occur.

Jensson schrieb:
The side panels must be perfectly perpendicular to the back panel.

Absolutely! And here’s a small tip: Sometimes it helps to lay the dresser on a blanket and slowly tighten all the connections again. This way, you can often hear if any adjustments are still needed. Once the piece is in the room, the feet shouldn’t just be placed directly on the cold floor—my recommendation: put small felt pads underneath. It adds a lot of stability and reduces noise 🙂

Key factors for wobbly furniture of this type (Malm dresser) are the precise fit of the wooden parts and the correct assembly of all connection points.

Important:
- The supplied back panel must be fully attached with all screws, as it significantly stabilizes the structure.
- Any unevenness in the floor should be compensated for, for example by adjustable feet. Especially with relatively lightweight furniture, even a small uneven spot can cause noticeable wobbling.
- Check that all screws and dowels are inserted deep enough to eliminate any looseness.

Wobbling despite following the instructions is usually caused by minor assembly errors or environmental conditions, not design flaws.