ᐅ Why do some Malm furniture pieces have lower build quality?

Lately, I have been buying Malm furniture from IKEA more often, but I’ve noticed that the quality of workmanship sometimes varies significantly. My question is: why do some Malm pieces have poorer quality than others, even though they are from the same series? Are there known reasons for this, such as differences in material quality, manufacturing processes, or perhaps production locations? I am specifically concerned about factors like fit, surface finish, and stability, which can sometimes be quite disappointing. Does anyone have experience or explanations for why this might be the case?

Oh yes, I totally understand! 🙂 Sometimes it’s really a mixed bag when it comes to the quality you get from Malm! Some of my furniture is very well made, while other pieces don’t fit together well during assembly. I suspect this has to do with production – maybe different batches or factories? Still, IKEA should be more consistent! But keep your spirits up; knowing this, you can check more carefully when unpacking and make a claim if necessary!

Variations in the manufacturing of Malm furniture can indeed be due to different production batches. IKEA produces its furniture in various factories around the world, which can affect quality. Another factor is the selection of materials: engineered wood products and finishes may vary depending on the current supply chain situation. Additionally, assembly instructions are sometimes not detailed enough, which can lead to errors during assembly that are perceived as poor workmanship.

CHENNE schrieb:
The variations in the finishing of Malm furniture can indeed be due to different production batches.

This explanation sounds plausible at first, but as a global company, IKEA should actually have standardized processes in place to prevent such quality fluctuations. My suspicion is that we are more likely dealing with compromises made to reduce costs. Cheaper materials, faster production lines, or insufficient quality control could be the reason for the lower quality finish. Does anyone have information on whether IKEA consciously allows different quality levels within the same series?

Basically, it is not unusual for furniture from the same series to be manufactured differently at various production sites, as each location has its own processes and suppliers. The storage of materials and transportation routes are also important, especially since wood-based materials can be affected by these factors. If the panels absorb moisture or the coating was applied incorrectly, this can be immediately seen in the quality. For buyers of Malm furniture, I can only recommend paying close attention to any inconsistencies when purchasing in-store and being careful during assembly.

From a technical perspective, variations in quality can be explained as follows: Malm furniture is generally made from particleboard or MDF, which is coated with a decorative layer. Differences in raw material quality, such as the density of the boards or the adhesive used, can significantly affect the fit and surface finish. Additionally, varying processing quality during CNC milling and coating can lead to visible defects. Another factor is the assembly process. Poor instructions or imprecise drill holes can reinforce the impression of low quality. At IKEA, there is a noticeable trend toward cost savings, which can cause fluctuations in material performance.