ᐅ The Malm nightstand wobbles despite tightening the screws – how can I improve its stability?

Hello everyone, I recently bought a Malm nightstand from Ikea, which wobbles quite a bit despite the screws being properly tightened. All the screws are securely fastened—I have checked several times to make sure—but the stability is still not satisfactory. It feels like the connections around the wooden dowels and screws have a slight play, causing the instability. Has anyone experienced this problem? Is there a way to significantly improve the nightstand’s stability without completely disassembling it? I would appreciate any advice, including if someone knows alternative screws or assembly methods that make the furniture more stable!

The wobbling is often caused by wooden dowels that become loose over time. Simply loosen the screws, apply wood glue to the dowels, and then reassemble. When tightening the screws, make sure to do so evenly.

Great that you described the problem so precisely! 🙂 I had the same issue and also placed small washers under the screw heads to better distribute the pressure – that helped a lot! And honestly: a little wood glue works wonders! Just keep at it, it will be fine ;-)

To improve the stability of wobbly Malm nightstands, I recommend the following steps:

1. Completely disassemble the furniture to carefully inspect all joints.
2. Check wooden dowels for any damage or wear.
3. Use new dowels when replacing the originals, as old ones are often worn out.
4. Apply wood glue thinly on the dowels and inside the holes, avoiding excess to prevent swelling.
5. Tighten screws by hand first, then gradually increase the torque.
6. Use washers under screw heads to distribute the force more evenly.

Common mistake: Over-tightening, which can damage the wood and reduce stability.

Summary: Glue + new, properly fitting dowels + even tightening + washers if needed significantly increase stability.

The cause of wobbling often lies in the combination of worn wooden dowels and the tension of the screws. Wooden dowels made of particleboard or MDF tend to lose cross-tension over time. A permanent solution therefore involves replacing the dowels and using wood glue. Additionally, it can be useful to replace the screws with longer or higher-quality ones to create a firmer connection. Applying a thread-locking adhesive to the screw threads may also help prevent the loss of tension.

Usrion schrieb:
Is there a way to significantly improve the stability of the bedside table without completely taking it apart?

I understand that taking it apart can be frustrating. What helped me was realigning the screws and slipping small wooden shims behind the joints as extra support. Sometimes felt pads under the feet are enough to reduce wobbling on uneven floors. If you like, I can share a few tips on carefully tightening and adjusting it that don’t necessarily require disassembly.