ᐅ Why is my MALM nightstand still wobbly despite being screwed together?

I recently bought a Malm bedside table from IKEA and tightened all the screws several times during assembly. However, the piece still wobbles, especially when I lean on it or move it slightly. The construction otherwise seems solid, but I can’t understand why it isn’t stable. Does anyone have any idea what might cause this if all the screws are properly tightened? I made sure that all metal connectors are in place and the screws are correctly seated in the threads. Could it be related to how the drawers were installed or the positioning on an uneven floor? I would appreciate any tips or experiences from others who might have had the same problem.

hunorti schrieb:
Still, the piece of furniture wobbles, especially when I lean on it or move it slightly.

I know that feeling all too well, when you assemble something with effort and it still doesn’t fit quite right! With my MALM, all the screws were tight, but one wooden slat had shifted slightly, which affected the stability.

Often it helps to tighten the screws in a specific order – not fully at once, but first tighten them lightly, then go back and fully tighten all of them. This allows everything to align properly.

Sometimes one of the drill holes is slightly enlarged, especially with older models or if you’ve screwed in too forcefully. Could that be the case for you? Sometimes using a slightly thicker dowel or a washer can help here.

Wobbles despite screws? Check the floor level, as an uneven floor can cause wobbling.
If everything is level: loosen the screws again, then tighten them evenly and firmly.
Check whether the wooden dowels are correctly positioned and if a missing connector might be causing the issue.

A stable connection in MALM nightstands depends on several factors. Here is a brief guide explaining why it may wobble despite secured screws:

1. Screw condition: Are they tight enough? Screws should be tightened by hand first, then turned another quarter turn—never overtightened to avoid damaging the wood.

2. Wood joints: MALM often uses wooden dowels or metal connector fittings. Are these correctly positioned and fully in place? A missing dowel can significantly reduce stability.

3. Assembly sequence: Screws should be tightened in the recommended order. If one side is fully tightened first, the furniture can become distorted.

4. Floor surface: The location also matters. An uneven floor allows slight movements.

5. Load on the drawers: Sometimes not only the legs but also the drawer slides are loose or misaligned, causing the furniture to wobble.

My advice: Slightly loosen the screws, check all connection points, and then tighten evenly. A felt pad under the nightstand can compensate for unevenness.

It’s amazing that you put so much effort into assembling it! 🙂

Tatovin schrieb:
Check the floor level; an uneven floor causes wobbling.

I totally agree—that’s really important! I once had a MALM bedside table that was checked thoroughly, even with all screws tight, but in the end, it was just the carpet and cold feet causing the problem 😉

Try placing a small furniture pad or something similar underneath! That worked wonders for me!

One more thing: sometimes joints “settle” after a few days. So don’t get discouraged! For now, just put the piece in place, use it, and then check again later. Good luck!

LOGEMIN schrieb:
My tip: Loosen the screws slightly, check all connection points, and then tighten them evenly.

I fully agree with this. In addition, I would like to point out that it often helps to ensure the corner joints fit exactly during assembly. It is quite common for a panel to be slightly misaligned or a dowel not to fit perfectly, which can cause noticeable wobbling even if the screws are tightened.

Another common cause can be an uneven distribution of the screws, for example, if some screws are over-tightened while others remain slightly loose. This creates tension in the wood and reduces the overall stability.

If you are assembling the nightstand without the drawers, also check whether the drawer slides are properly engaged and not bent. These are often overlooked but can affect stability.

If you rule out the floor as the problem, I would recommend going through the assembly step by step again and possibly using a small spirit level to align the nightstand. Good luck!