Hello everyone, last week I assembled a Malm dresser set, and despite tightening the screws several times, the furniture still wobbles slightly. I tightened all screws according to the instructions, used the supplied wall anchors, and assembled the pieces on a level surface. The wobbling is not extreme but clearly noticeable. My question is: what could cause this wobbling in Malm furniture after assembly, and how can it be reliably fixed? Are there any known weak points or tips to ensure long-term stability? Thanks for your experiences and advice!
I can definitely understand how frustrating wobbling can be, especially when it seems like all the steps have been followed correctly. In my experience, the order in which you tighten the screws makes a difference – first, loosely secure all connections, then tighten them step by step diagonally in a crisscross pattern. A misaligned connection plate or a small overlooked component can throw everything off. Another important point for me is to avoid using excessive force if something is stuck, before checking whether all parts are properly aligned. I really appreciate your thorough way of presenting the question and hope you find a suitable solution.
There are several basic principles for stabilizing Malm furniture. The back panel significantly increases stability; it should fit precisely and be secured with all the nails provided. All connection fittings must be fully tightened. If wobbling occurs despite correct assembly, it is usually due to an uneven floor. It is important to equip the furniture feet with felt or rubber pads to help compensate for unevenness. A simple check with a spirit level can provide useful information. For more severe wobbling issues, additional reinforcement using metal brackets on the inside can be applied. However, this is only advisable if you have some DIY experience.
Another cause that is sometimes overlooked is the quality of the supplied screws and wood connectors. Especially with inexpensive flat-pack furniture, these components can sometimes have tolerances or be of lower quality. This may mean that while the screws hold firmly, the joints are not completely free of play. If the back panel does not form a full frame but instead is just a thin board installed as a cantilever, the furniture responds more strongly to stress. Therefore, it is advisable to check the joints for loose connections or visible gaps. If all steps have been carried out correctly, the cause is usually either the floor or a partial defect.
bauku schrieb:
My tip: Check if the back panel is properly nailed or screwed in and whether all the corner brackets are really tight!I will double-check that carefully tomorrow, thanks!
JAFUHAU schrieb:
In my experience, the order in which the screws are tightened has an impactCould you suggest a specific procedure for tightening the screws? For example, first lightly tighten all screws, then retighten several times in certain steps?
Also: The dresser is standing on a slightly uneven vinyl floor, but I expected the adjustable feet to compensate for that somewhat. Does anyone have experience with how sensitive Malm-type furniture is to floor unevenness?
Thanks to everyone so far for the insights, it’s very helpful!
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