16 IKEA Malm Hack Ideas That Will Surprise You

ikea malm hack

Get inspired with our IKEA Malm hack ideas…

Everybody is familiar with IKEA’s Malm series offering…we know what we are getting…a solid and robust modern dresser, furniture that is designed to last…all at a fantastically competitive price. The issue is one of individuality…everybody has the same thing. You really need to add your own individual take on this basic offering for a chic makeover, to really give them some much needed personality. They are perfect for a DIY project for people with even the most basic DIY skills. In this post, we will run through some fantastic IKEA Malm hack ideas to provide you with some great inspiration, and help you become IKEA hackers.

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copy these great ikea malm hack ideas
Copy These Great Ikea Malm Hack Ideas

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Get inspired with these IKEA Malm dresser hack examples

ikea malm dresser makeover
Etsy

Take your home decor to a new level…

Consider customising your IKEA Malm furniture using a wallpaper front or a vinyl sticker. This adds a fresh new look that is pretty unique.

ikea malm hack dresser diy
chris_moores

IKEA dressers don’t have to be obvious…

A recent trend is to use IKEA dressers as the core units to fit into walls. This flush fitting gives a great built in look, hence a more expensive look. You can use this method to add storage space into unused nooks in your home.

ikea malm dresser hack
wonenmetmariel

A simple leather pull hack can transform the look…

Adding a simple leather pull is a great hack for this IKEA piece. It’s easy to do too. Mark up the centre line and drill a small hole big enough for the leather pulls screw. Simply screw it in for a great new look.

ikea malm 3 drawer dresser hack
Pinterest

Consider changing your IKEA dressers color…

Changing the color adds a sense of uniqueness. Customise the color of your IKEA cabinets to match it to your existing furniture, or even your room decor. This example does this fantastically well.

ikea malm dresser hack diy
scandinaviangrey

Add an handle to make it more convenient…

Very similar to the leather pull, adding a handle or knob functions in the same way, but is perhaps a little more robust.

ikea malm dresser decor
moonstickers

A custom drawer front delivers a unique look…

Adding a custom drawer front can give a great look that transforms some pretty basic furniture into something special.

ikea malm dresser bedroom ideas
eilenvillemo

New handles and a paint job for a full overhaul…

A complete refresh is sometimes required. This example adds a fresh new color with some terrific new handles.

ikea malm hack dresser overlays
thehomeideaspage

IKEA Malm nightstand hack…add a new top to create a new feel

This example of the IKEA Malm nightstand hack has a marble top that replaces the existing one. This adds a whole new level of quality and durability. If a new marble top is too expensive, consider a vinyl sticker to give a similar effect.

Consider an IKEA Alex drawer unit to hack into a home office…These desk hacks will save you a fortune

ikea hacks bedroom dresser malm
A Crafted Passion

Upcycle your IKEA Malm drawers…

Even little changes can make a big difference. This simple epicycle adds some paint and new handles for a fresh new look.

malm hack
Designertrapped.com

Create a retro look with an IKEA Malm makeover…

Simply painting the units a mohogony color can give it a retro feel, but adding these handles gives it some authenticity.

malm hack ikea
Naylasmith.com

This Malm makeover delivers a boho feel…

Perfect for a boho style bedroom, this hack adds some handle pulls that help to give a fresh new look.

malm hack dresser diy
Pinterest

IKEA Malm furniture hacks that deliver style…

Budget makes a huge difference to you furniture decisions. Consider doing more with less, some simple changes can deliver a fresh new look.

malm dresser hack
Pinterest

This IKEA Malm upgrade adds a new top…

Adding a new wooden counter is a great way to upgrade your Malm furniture. It is a simple hack that most can do, and it’s relatively cheap too.

malm 6 drawer dresser hack
Pretty Pegs

An IKEA Malm transformation that simply works…

Adding a trend new handle style can really help uplift some basic furniture. What really helps make a difference here is the new feet that have been attached. You can easily purchase these and they are available in a number of styles.

ikea malm hack dresser
maiifin
ikea malm hacks

Since you are here…can I ask a favor?

It would be really nice if you could share this image and page on your social media.

It’s just a couple of clicks for you but it means everything to us here at Houszed.

Thank you so much!

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Frequently asked questions

Can you paint IKEA Malm?

The simple answer is yes…but there are a few steps you need to take. Most IKEA furniture is laminated, therefore you need to use a primer that will allow you to paint the surface successfully. Zinsser BIN Shellac-Based Primer is specially designed for laminate surfaces and is perfect for the job. Following this, any good quality furniture paint will deliver great results. The most popular is furniture chalk paint and even spray paint.

Can you put legs on IKEA Malm dresser?

Yes you can, but you do need to do some work before you can do this on this IKEA dresser hack. Since the material on a Malm chest is relatively weak and thin, you would need to add some timber to the base to allow you to fix the legs to it. However, once this is done, it can totally transform the look and deliver a great IKEA Malm dresser hack.

Can you put knobs on IKEA dresser?

Absolutely you can and these IKEA Malm hacks are some of the most popular. Adding lucite knobs, drawer pulls and a handle to your simple IKEA Malm dresser makeover, is the simplest IKEA hack that you can do. If you look at the most modern trend, leather pulls are incredibly popular. It totally transforms the look at a relatively low cost. To do so, it is simply a case of measuring and drilling pilot holes for the screws. Remember to use some masking tape in order to prevent the surface from splitting.

How can I make my IKEA dresser look expensive?

You can make your boring IKEA Malm dresser look expensive by using a few hacks. On of the easiest ways is to add some handles, this gives it a more upmarket, premium look. Adding legs also achieves the same, there are some great options on the market that you can make the most of. Changing the color by painting it is also a realistic option, allowing you to match your space. If you are feeling particularly creative with your IKEA Malm makeover, consider some custom art on the drawer fronts. All these methods add a sense of uniqueness which makes your dresser look more expensive. However, the perception is in the finish of the product, therefore ensure that it is a job well done. If you want to go the extra mile, consider matching your bedroom furniture. You can get a matching Malm bed, headboard, bedside table nightstand and many others for this IKEA product. Consider matching the paint color and method for an impressive result. If you look at some of the best examples, a black IKEA malm dresser looks incredibly impressive for very little money.

How can I make IKEA furniture stronger?

Your piece of IKEA furniture is strong, but there are things you can do to make them even more robust. You could add additional wood glue to make things sturdier. Alternatively, you could use metal brackets to secure the corners. This is relatively cheap to do, yet well worth the effort.

Can you paint IKEA furniture without sanding?

Most IKEA pieces are laminated and therefore it is difficult to get a good finish. It is not like normal wood panels. You could sand it but you do still need to use a high-quality primer like Zinsser BIN Shellac-Based Primer. This gives a great surface for a nice final finish.

What is the best paint for IKEA furniture?

I would always recommend that you use a good quality furniture paint as the qualities in the paint make them suitable for the job. It always helps to lightly sand between coats of paint…yes you need a couple for the best finish. We have a great article of painting cabinets which will help.

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