ᐅ Replacing IKEA Malm Drawers with Roll-Out Slides – How to Do It?

Hello everyone, I have some IKEA Malm dressers with drawers that currently use the classic plastic runners. After some time, these start to squeak and don’t run smoothly anymore, so I’m considering replacing the drawer runners with proper metal slides.

My question is: Has anyone had experience replacing the original runners on Malm drawers with metal side or under-mount slides? What dimensions and fastenings should be considered to ensure the drawers run smoothly and remain stable?

If there are specific slides you would recommend, or tips for the conversion and installation, I’d appreciate hearing them. I want the drawers to be more durable, quieter, and run better, but without having to completely disassemble the dresser or do extensive modifications to the drawers. Thanks for your help!

KLOLO schrieb:
After some time, these start squeaking and don’t run smoothly anymore, which is why I’m considering replacing the drawers with proper sliding rails.

Well, that sounds like a nice DIY challenge! 😄

I once replaced the plastic runners on a similar piece of furniture with simple metal sliding rails. It’s important to measure carefully beforehand: the length of the drawer, the width of the runners, and then look for suitable ball-bearing or roller slides.

A tip: check online marketplaces like eBay or Amazon for “metal drawer slides” – there are so-called under-mount or side-mount slides designed exactly for this.

Before installation, it’s best to completely remove the old plastic runners and then screw in the new slides cleanly (make sure the drill holes line up!). If not, you can use small wooden strips or spacers as a workaround.

I did it this way, and now the drawers glide like butter 🙂 Good luck!

Simply remove the plastic guides and measure the drawer.

Then get the appropriate metal sliding rails with mounting screws – usually side-mounted.

Drill, screw in securely, and you’re done.

KLOLO schrieb:
What dimensions and fastenings should be considered to ensure the drawers run smoothly and remain stable?

This is a crucial point. The Malm drawers have relatively thin walls, which must be taken into account when installing metal drawer slides to avoid compromising the strength of the wood.

My recommendation: Measure the internal length and height of the drawer, including the thickness of the side panels. Common drawer slides for Malm are 350mm or 400mm long (approximately 14 or 16 inches), depending on the depth of the dresser.

Not every drawer slide fits exactly – there are different types (full extension, partial extension), so you should confirm this beforehand. Full-extension slides offer better access but are more demanding to install.

Before drilling, temporarily clamp the slides to the drawer and cabinet with C-clamps to check alignment and smooth operation. It is also advisable to use countersunk screws to prevent splitting the wood.

One more tip: Use small washers under the screws if the wood is very soft.

What are the exact dimensions of your dresser? Standard Malm sizes are usually 80 or 90cm wide (approximately 31 or 35 inches), which affects the length of the drawer slides.

Will44 schrieb:
I did it this way, and now the drawers slide like butter 🙂

That almost sounds too simple – honestly, aren’t these kinds of DIY fixes more of a temporary solution? Sure, putting on new drawer slides does the trick, but IKEA furniture isn’t really designed to last forever with modifications like this.

I mean, Malm here reveals the fundamental design issue: thin wood, basic mechanism – obviously cheap, but not very durable.

If you really want quality, you should consider high-quality under-mount or full-extension drawer slides from reputable manufacturers, and maybe even redesign the entire drawer project.

Just a thought 😉

Surela schrieb:
The Malm drawers have relatively thin walls, which must be considered when installing metal slides

This is an important note. I would like to add the following structured advice:

1. Preparation: Completely remove old plastic runners and lightly sand the wooden edges to create a smooth surface for mounting the slides.

2. Exact measurements: The internal width of the drawer side panels, the depth of the chest of drawers, and the previous position of the runners are crucial to ensure that the drawer operates smoothly without play.

3. Procurement: It is recommended to use ball-bearing slides, as they reduce operational noise and provide better stability.

4. Installation: If the chest’s side panel is too thin, reinforcement can be added inside using thin wooden strips, which remain invisible but provide support.

5. Adjustment after installation: Check and, if necessary, readjust the drawer slides to prevent sticking or excessive looseness.

When done professionally, this significantly extends the lifespan of Malm drawers.