ᐅ The Malm chest of drawers leans or is uneven when assembled – how can I prevent this?

Hello everyone,

I recently bought an IKEA Malm chest of drawers and wanted to assemble it today. However, I noticed that the chest becomes quite crooked during assembly. The drawers don’t slide properly, and the back panel doesn’t seem to sit flush. The issue appears to be related to the alignment of the side panels and the fastening, but I’m not sure how to avoid this in the future.

Does anyone have experience with reliably preventing such misalignments when assembling a Malm chest of drawers? Are there specific points I should pay special attention to, or tools/assembly techniques that make it easier to level everything?

Thanks in advance for your tips!

Hello,

When assembling the Malm chest of drawers, it is crucial to align the side panels exactly vertically before attaching the cross supports. Even small deviations can cause the structure to become crooked.

An important tip: Use a spirit level or protractor during assembly and check not only the outer edges but also the alignment of the drawer slides. Make sure that all screws are tightened evenly and securely to avoid tension-induced warping.

Also, the back panel of the Malm is often thin and serves a stabilizing function. If it does not sit flush immediately, it may help to install it only after the side panels are fixed. Sometimes it is held in place by light fixings at the bottom and top—care is needed here to prevent any shifting.

Summary:
1. Align the side panels exactly at right angles
2. Tighten screws evenly
3. Install and properly fix the back panel last
4. Use measuring tools (spirit level, protractor)

This way you can avoid a crooked chest of drawers.

Align the side walls before screwing them together.
Do not leave the screws too loose.
Attach the back panel last.

KAMERON schrieb:
When assembling the Malm dresser, it is crucial to align the side panels perfectly vertical before attaching the cross braces.

That sums it up very well. I would add that when connecting the side panels and the bottom panel, you should only secure the joints lightly so you can still make adjustments when installing the remaining connecting components.

Tips from my experience:

1. Start assembling on a completely level surface. Uneven floors can cause the entire piece of furniture to hang crooked.
2. Use clamps or makeshift supports to hold the side panels in place so they don’t shift while screwing.
3. Check the first row of connections carefully before adding additional parts.
4. The back panel is crucial for the final stability. If it doesn’t fit easily, it’s worth thoroughly checking the fixing points.

Do you notice a significant misalignment at one corner, or is it more evenly distributed along the entire height?

Maybe you could describe that briefly, so I can assist you more effectively.

ronAlberto schrieb:
Is there a noticeable misalignment at one corner, or is it more evenly distributed along the full height?

Thank you for the feedback!

Yes, the misalignment is actually focused on a lower corner, where the dresser stands slightly tilted. Because of this, the drawers stick a bit at the bottom and don’t close properly. The back panel is slightly warped, probably because it wasn’t inserted completely straight.

The assembly was done on a laminate floor, which seems quite level, but I didn’t use clamps. I tightened the screws more or less directly without readjusting. I probably did it too rigidly.

This time, I will try to focus on achieving a higher level of accuracy during assembly and take your advice into account.

One quick question to clarify: Would you attach the back panel only after all side panels and the bottom panel are fully screwed in, or can you insert it simultaneously during the assembly process?

Hello,

I have assembled Malm dressers for years and have found the best results with the following approach:

1. Lay out all parts sorted and check them for warping (especially the back panel).
2. Assemble the side panels together with the bottom panel without fully tightening all screws at first. Only tighten them by hand to allow some flexibility.
3. Align all parts precisely using a spirit level and, if needed, a square. Check the alignment several times.
4. If necessary, clamp the side panels with clamps or heavy books to prevent slipping.
5. Once everything is in the correct position, gradually tighten the screws evenly.
6. The back panel should be installed last. It finalizes the stability of the structure and prevents twisting. Installing it during assembly can make alignment difficult since it forces the side panels into position.

Also, make sure no screws are driven too deep or at an angle in the material, as this can distort the parts.

In summary: install the back panel only at the end and check and adjust alignment multiple times while tightening screws. This way, your Malm dresser will be straight and stable.