Hello everyone, I have a rather annoying problem with my two MALM nightstands from IKEA: they wobble. This is not only unpleasant to the touch but I also feel that the material could be damaged over time because of it. The wobbling mostly occurs when the floor is not completely level or when one of the table legs rests on a small uneven spot. I wanted to ask: What hacks, tricks, or modifications do you know to effectively reduce or completely prevent the wobbling of these MALM nightstands? I am especially interested in practical solutions that are easy to implement and don’t require expensive specialized parts. Preferably something that can be applied with simple household items or minimal tools. Thanks in advance for your tips!
R
reoWilhelm27 May 2020 11:55Good morning! It sounds like your MALMs just need a bit more stability, right? :-)
One of my favorite methods is to stick small felt pads under the legs. The same ones you would use under chairs to protect the floor from scratches. They not only slide well but also compensate for minor unevenness and reliably reduce wobbling. And the best part: they cost almost nothing and can be found in any hardware store.
By the way, I would always consider that the main cause. If the floor is really uneven, sometimes even a small piece of cardboard or a rolled-up tissue put under the leg can help to cushion it. Sometimes tiny adjustments are enough to make a big difference.
Try that and let us know if it helps!
One of my favorite methods is to stick small felt pads under the legs. The same ones you would use under chairs to protect the floor from scratches. They not only slide well but also compensate for minor unevenness and reliably reduce wobbling. And the best part: they cost almost nothing and can be found in any hardware store.
Nuus48 schrieb:
Wobbling mainly happens for me when the floor isn’t completely level
By the way, I would always consider that the main cause. If the floor is really uneven, sometimes even a small piece of cardboard or a rolled-up tissue put under the leg can help to cushion it. Sometimes tiny adjustments are enough to make a big difference.
Try that and let us know if it helps!
C
cassandra27 May 2020 13:11As a supplement to the suggestion with felt pads: There are also so-called furniture leveling feet or screw-in feet that can be attached under table legs. These allow precise compensation for small unevenness by adjusting the height. However, retrofitting these on IKEA MALM nightstands is not always straightforward, as the legs are often fixed in place.
A practical alternative is the use of small, self-adhesive leveling pads made of rubber or silicone. They are durable, non-slip, and can effectively absorb unevenness of up to a few millimeters (inches). These pads permanently improve stability and can be easily stuck to the underside of the legs.
Felt pads are often too soft to provide strong or lasting support, especially on smooth floors such as tile or hardwood, which can also cause the nightstands to slide.
My tip: If possible, use a combination of leveling pads and felt pads— the former for stability, the latter for floor protection.
A practical alternative is the use of small, self-adhesive leveling pads made of rubber or silicone. They are durable, non-slip, and can effectively absorb unevenness of up to a few millimeters (inches). These pads permanently improve stability and can be easily stuck to the underside of the legs.
reoWilhelm schrieb:
kleine Filzgleiter unter die Beine zu kleben
Felt pads are often too soft to provide strong or lasting support, especially on smooth floors such as tile or hardwood, which can also cause the nightstands to slide.
My tip: If possible, use a combination of leveling pads and felt pads— the former for stability, the latter for floor protection.
I find this topic interesting because it affects more people than you might think. The wobbling can really be annoying and disrupt daily life. What often helps me in these situations is thoroughly looking for the cause – sometimes it can be a small warped frame or loose connections.
Have you already checked if all the screws in the nightstands are still tight? With MALM furniture, it sometimes happens that a screw loosens and allows slight movement. Tightening them can often make a big difference.
Another idea I have tried myself is using small washers under the screws at the leg joints. This makes the connection a bit more stable without having to disassemble or modify the table.
I agree with that, but sometimes something soft is better than nothing, especially on delicate floors. It really depends on the situation.
Have you already checked if all the screws in the nightstands are still tight? With MALM furniture, it sometimes happens that a screw loosens and allows slight movement. Tightening them can often make a big difference.
Another idea I have tried myself is using small washers under the screws at the leg joints. This makes the connection a bit more stable without having to disassemble or modify the table.
cassandra schrieb:
Felt pads are often too soft to provide strong or lasting support
I agree with that, but sometimes something soft is better than nothing, especially on delicate floors. It really depends on the situation.
I see the issue from a different perspective: Why should a Malm nightstand wobble at all? The piece of furniture is designed so simply that there shouldn’t be any weak points. Maybe it’s time to critically examine IKEA’s quality itself.
Exactly – I would even argue that the wobbling is not really an issue with the floor or a result of poor quick fixes, but rather a problem with faulty design or low-quality components. So, one could say that these simple hacks address the symptom but not the root cause. My advice: If multiple nightstands have the same problem, it’s better to contact IKEA or ask for a replacement rather than wasting time on makeshift repairs.
Anyone who thinks differently is welcome to disagree.
moses schrieb:
Have you already checked if all the screws [...] are still tight?
Exactly – I would even argue that the wobbling is not really an issue with the floor or a result of poor quick fixes, but rather a problem with faulty design or low-quality components. So, one could say that these simple hacks address the symptom but not the root cause. My advice: If multiple nightstands have the same problem, it’s better to contact IKEA or ask for a replacement rather than wasting time on makeshift repairs.
Anyone who thinks differently is welcome to disagree.
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