ᐅ Malm bedside table is becoming wobbly – what can I do?

Hello everyone, some time ago I bought the IKEA Malm nightstand, which I generally like, but recently it has become wobbly. The wobbling mainly occurs when I lightly push the nightstand or place something on it – it feels like the stability of the legs has weakened. I have already checked that all screws are properly tightened, but I suspect the issue might also be related to the connection of the back panel or another structural point. Are there any known weak spots with this model? Has anyone had experience repairing wobbly Malm nightstands? What steps can I take to permanently restore or improve its stability? I look forward to your advice and am happy to discuss.

miludwig schrieb:
I have already checked that all the screws are tightened properly

Then tighten all the screws again using a Phillips screwdriver. They often loosen slightly and cause wobbling. Also check the connection to the back panel; sometimes the dowels are no longer seated correctly.

miludwig schrieb:
Has anyone had experience repairing wobbly Malm nightstands?

The Malm nightstand is mainly made of particleboard with a laminate surface, which is susceptible to moisture damage or stress at the joints. Common weak points are the connections between the legs and the base panel, as well as the back panel, which provides stability. For repairs, I recommend:

- Checking screws and dowels and replacing them if necessary
- Installing or reinforcing the back panel, for example with angle brackets
- If a panel is damaged, you can apply wood glue and clamp it with clamps

If the wobbling is caused by uneven flooring, small felt pads or suitable shims can also help.

Hello miludwig,

Wobbly furniture can be really annoying, but as already mentioned, the cause is often loose screws. You can also take a closer look at the construction:

- Check the corner joints where the side panels meet the bottom panel. Especially with Malm furniture, a back panel is often installed to provide stability. Is this back panel complete and firmly in place? Sometimes the fastening loosens, which exactly causes the wobbling.

- If the back panel is not stable enough or is damaged, an additional brace can significantly strengthen the nightstand.

- Keep in mind that furniture made of particleboard reacts to humidity. Moisture can cause the material to swell and make the joints less tight.

I would suggest inspecting the back panel carefully after tightening the screws and possibly using wood glue to permanently fix any loose connections.

If you have some DIY skills, this is a great opportunity to make your nightstand solid again.

Laurence schrieb:
wobbly furniture is really annoying

I can definitely relate to that. It’s really frustrating when furniture you care about just won’t stay stable. I’ve also had a nightstand that wobbled, and at first, I couldn’t find a solution. In such cases, patience, careful observation, and systematically eliminating the causes often help.

I especially appreciate your mention of humidity, which is a factor often overlooked but does affect durability. I would approach the situation calmly and gradually restore the nightstand so you can enjoy it again :-)

I’m curious if there are any specific tips on how to better stabilize the joints.

RonJarrett schrieb:
For repairs, I recommend checking screws and wall anchors and replacing them if necessary.

In addition:

If the wall anchors are made of plastic or wood and are somewhat old, they may be porous or swollen. It can help to carefully remove them, apply wood glue to the holes, and insert new, slightly stronger wooden dowels. Alternatively, you can buy so-called furniture connector fittings at hardware stores, which provide additional stability.

If you have the right tools, installing metal brackets in the inner corners can also offer strong support without significantly affecting the appearance.

If the floor is uneven, be sure to check this as well, because even with solid furniture connectors, a bedside table can wobble quickly.