ᐅ What to do about wobbly Malm furniture legs?

Hello everyone,

I have a fairly specific question for the community: What are effective ways to fix furniture legs on a Malm dresser model from Ikea when they start to wobble? I’ve noticed that the screws are still in place, but it seems the anchoring in the wood is no longer tight, causing the legs to have slight lateral play. This not only affects stability but also causes an annoying creaking noise when leaning on it.

I would like to know what methods have proven effective for a long-lasting repair. Does everything really need to be disassembled and new dowels installed? Or are there less invasive options, such as special adhesives or washers? I’m aiming for a solution that preserves the original appearance and functionality as much as possible and isn’t just a temporary fix.

Any tips based on experience, including recommendations for suitable materials or tools, would be greatly appreciated!

noa-mar50 schrieb:
What can be done effectively when the legs of a Malm dresser model from Ikea start to wobble?

This is a valid question and one that many users have experienced. With Malm furniture, the wood composite material in the leg area is often not very durable, and over time the connections loosen.

I recommend the following approach: First, unscrew the legs and carefully check the screws. If they are still in good condition, reattach them several times; often it’s enough to fill the mounting holes with wood glue and small wood shavings to improve the fit. This “shrinks” the holes around the screw and provides better grip.

Another option is to use special wooden dowels or insert metal threaded inserts – these hold the screw better in the soft particleboard. If you have some DIY skills, the effort is worthwhile.

Glue alone, such as superglue, usually does not hold well due to movement and is rarely a durable solution.

Unscrew the legs, fill the holes with wood glue and wood shavings, let it dry, then screw the legs back on.

FIKAPU schrieb:
Unscrew the legs, fill the holes with wood glue and wood shavings, let it dry, then screw the legs back on.

Exactly! Or: If you don’t have wood shavings, small wooden toothpicks broken into suitable pieces will also work. It makes the repair very sturdy. And if you place a rubber mat under the legs afterward, it reduces slipping and creaking noises. Simple, effective, and protects the floor. 🙂

lisbi schrieb:
Glue alone, like superglue, doesn’t do much due to movement and usually doesn’t hold permanently.

I have to step in here. Superglue is indeed not a cure-all, but I wouldn’t dismiss it entirely. When combined with proper preparation (meaning removing all old residue from the holes and chamfering the edges), it can provide a certain immediate effect in some cases.

Personally, I find the whole “wood glue plus wood shavings” method quite sustainable but also somewhat cumbersome, especially if you just want a quick fix. For beginners or those without a dedicated workshop, superglue can be a viable option—as long as you don’t immediately overload the joint after the initial bond with more weight than necessary ;-)

And honestly: wobbly furniture legs aren’t just caused by the material; often the problem is an uneven floor or incorrect loading. So don’t just work on the furniture itself, but also check the floor. This is often overlooked.