IKEA MALM Dresser Assembly in Toronto: Drawer Glides, Anti-Tip, and the 6-Drawer Difference
The MALM is one of the most common dresser assembly jobs in Toronto. Here's what actually takes time, why drawer adjustment matters, and how to properly anchor the tall model to condo drywall.
- Drawer glide alignment — not hardware quality — is why MALM drawers rub or stick
- The 6-drawer high model ships in two pieces; joining them correctly is the most important step
- Anti-tip into stud is mandatory for dressers over 100cm; at minimum use a rated toggle anchor
- Drawer fronts attach after glide adjustment — don't glue them down before testing the glide
MALM Model Overview
IKEA makes the MALM in several configurations: 3-drawer (80cm high), 4-drawer (100cm high), 6-drawer in a single low unit (80cm, wider), and 6-drawer in a two-piece high unit (123cm). The 3 and 4 drawer models are standard single-carcass builds. The 6-drawer high model (the "MALM 6-drawer high chest") is two separate units stacked, and the join between them is where most assembly problems happen.
All MALM models use the same side-mounted drawer glide system: a plastic runner on each side of the drawer box that slides on a metal track mounted to the carcass side panels. The system is reliable when both tracks are perfectly parallel and at the same height, and frustrating when they're not.
Drawer Glide Adjustment
The MALM drawer glide tracks mount to the carcass interior walls before the drawers go in. They attach with two screws each — a fixed front screw and a slotted rear screw that allows up/down adjustment. The rear screw is how you correct a rubbing drawer after initial assembly.
The correct sequence is: install both tracks for one drawer height, test the tracks with a level before installing the drawer, then install the drawer box and test the slide. The drawer should slide in with light pressure and stop cleanly against the back stop without any up-tilt or sideways rub.
If a drawer tilts up at the front when pulled out, the rear of the track is too low — loosen the rear screw on both sides and raise it a millimeter. If a drawer rubs on the frame above it, the rear of the track is too high. This sounds tedious but each adjustment takes 30 seconds once you understand the system. I adjust every drawer on every MALM I build — the factory tolerance is loose enough that "install per instructions" doesn't always mean "drawers slide perfectly."
Anti-Tip Anchoring to Drywall
IKEA includes an anti-tip strap with all MALM dressers. The strap bolts to the top back of the dresser and screws into the wall. For the standard 3 or 4 drawer model at 80–100cm, this is a mandatory safety feature, especially if children are in the unit — children's deaths from tip-over dressers are unfortunately common and almost all preventable.
In condo drywall, I always find a stud first. Condo bedroom walls are typically 5/8" drywall over wood or metal framing at 16" on center. A stud finder confirms the location. If the strap's natural position doesn't align with a stud, I have two options: angle the strap slightly (the strap has a small slot, not just a hole), or use a rated toggle anchor. I prefer studs by default — they're faster and more reliable.
Anchor note: A standard drywall screw (the pointed kind with no anchor) is not rated for furniture anti-tip. It will pull through drywall with surprisingly little force. Use a proper anchor or hit a stud.
The 6-Drawer Two-Piece Model
The MALM 6-drawer high chest (123cm) consists of a lower and upper carcass that stack and connect with four bolts through the middle shelf. The sequence matters: assemble the lower unit fully, install the lower drawers, then set the upper unit on top and connect the two halves before installing the upper drawers.
The connection bolts go through the bottom of the upper carcass into threaded receivers in the top of the lower carcass. These receivers are plastic and can strip if over-tightened. Snug is right — firm hand pressure with the Allen key, not power-tool torque. The connection also includes a rear panel alignment piece that keeps the two units level front-to-back; don't skip this step even though it's fiddly.
The fully assembled 6-drawer high model is 123cm tall and weighs about 60kg empty. Once assembled, it needs wall anchoring before loading. The anti-tip strap mounting hole is on the upper carcass, same position as the single-unit models.
Need MALM assembly in Toronto?
$30/hr flat. A MALM 3-drawer takes about 50–65 min, the 6-drawer high about 90–110 min.