Hello everyone,
I recently bought a MALM drawer chest set from IKEA and now I’m wondering: What is the most practical assembly sequence when putting the individual parts together?
The instructions do show an order to follow, but sometimes it seems more convenient to rearrange certain steps—especially when inserting the drawers or attaching the back panels.
I’m interested in your experience: Is there an optimal assembly order for MALM drawer chests, particularly regarding stability, time efficiency, and ease of handling? Do you have any useful tips that go beyond the official instructions?
Thanks in advance for your help!
I recently bought a MALM drawer chest set from IKEA and now I’m wondering: What is the most practical assembly sequence when putting the individual parts together?
The instructions do show an order to follow, but sometimes it seems more convenient to rearrange certain steps—especially when inserting the drawers or attaching the back panels.
I’m interested in your experience: Is there an optimal assembly order for MALM drawer chests, particularly regarding stability, time efficiency, and ease of handling? Do you have any useful tips that go beyond the official instructions?
Thanks in advance for your help!
Hello Veitfar,
I support the suggestions to assemble the cabinet frame completely first, as this ensures basic stability. The back panel further reinforces the frame – be sure that the back panel fits correctly and is properly secured, otherwise the furniture might become wobbly.
The installation of the drawers should really be done at the very end. This simplifies the assembly process and also protects the delicate drawer slides from damage.
As an additional tip: some people use small spots of wood glue on the joint edges to increase stability, especially with older Malm models.
I support the suggestions to assemble the cabinet frame completely first, as this ensures basic stability. The back panel further reinforces the frame – be sure that the back panel fits correctly and is properly secured, otherwise the furniture might become wobbly.
The installation of the drawers should really be done at the very end. This simplifies the assembly process and also protects the delicate drawer slides from damage.
As an additional tip: some people use small spots of wood glue on the joint edges to increase stability, especially with older Malm models.
Yes, that’s exactly how I did it! First, I firmly assembled the carcass, then attached the back panel, and finally inserted the drawers.
The process went very smoothly and was really enjoyable :-)
Especially if you insert the drawers at the very end, you can move and slide the chest of drawers without any hassle – which was super practical for me!
The process went very smoothly and was really enjoyable :-)
Especially if you insert the drawers at the very end, you can move and slide the chest of drawers without any hassle – which was super practical for me!
B
bareynaldo4 Nov 2017 13:20Allow me a provocative statement: Why just follow the instructions when you can hold the carcass together before screwing it?
Sometimes I attach the back panel even before fully screwing the side panels to have a kind of template – it saves time and frustration. Sure, it’s a bit tricky, but for experienced DIYers, it’s really clever!
Why always stick so strictly to the instructions? 🙂
Sometimes I attach the back panel even before fully screwing the side panels to have a kind of template – it saves time and frustration. Sure, it’s a bit tricky, but for experienced DIYers, it’s really clever!
Why always stick so strictly to the instructions? 🙂
bareynaldo schrieb:
Why always follow the instructions so strictly?The point is valid, but IKEA instructions are designed with safety, stability, and efficiency in mind.
Attaching the back panel before completing all the screws can result in an inaccurate fit or compress the material without tension, which may cause deformation over time.
Basically, there is nothing wrong with making your own adjustments as long as stability is not compromised.
Thank you for your many helpful contributions!
I am also interested in whether anyone has tips for installing the drawers themselves – is there a specific order or technique to ensure everything runs smoothly without misalignment? Or is it better to partially assemble all the drawers first and then install them fully at the end?
Additionally: What is the best way to prevent the back panel from loosening or wobbling over time? Is there a better fixing method than the one provided?
I am also interested in whether anyone has tips for installing the drawers themselves – is there a specific order or technique to ensure everything runs smoothly without misalignment? Or is it better to partially assemble all the drawers first and then install them fully at the end?
Additionally: What is the best way to prevent the back panel from loosening or wobbling over time? Is there a better fixing method than the one provided?
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