Ikea Malm Dresser Hack

Check out my Ikea Malm Dresser Hack! I turned two boring dressers into one large custom dresser with just a few basic tools. Free plans by Shanty2Chic!

I moved into my new home last summer and I am working so hard to get every room complete with custom-built furniture. My daughter’s room was at the top of my list. She is a new teenager and I wanted her to have her own space that she was comfortable in and loved. She has had a lot of change with a new school and town, I thought having her bedroom ready would be a good retreat for her, as she adjusts.

She was in need of serious clothes storage so a dresser was the first piece of furniture I built her! With the Texas summer heat and a huge list of to-do’s, I decided to hack a set of Ikea Malm Dressers. Dressers can be pricey right now and they take a lot of time to build. So, I got busy designing a custom dresser that I would create from two 4-drawer dressers.

So, let’s get started!

You can check out the how-to video I shared on our IG page here.

Make sure to grab the free plans and follow along with the how-to instructions below.

Click here to jump to the free printable plans!

IKEA Malm Hacks

Materials List:

Supplies:

• 2 – 1x6x8 Primed Pine Boards
• 1 – 3/4″x20″x6′ Unfinished Pine Board
• 1 1/2″ Wood Screws
• 1 1/4″ Brad Nails
• 8 – Cabinet Pulls
• 2 – Ikea Malm Dressers
• Wood Glue
• Wood Filler

Tool:

• Miter Saw
• Drill
• Brad Nailer
• Table Saw (optional)

Assembling the Malm Dressers

Step 1: Building the Dressers

Follow the instructions to build the majority of the dressers. I did not attach the tops, backs or the front bottom trim. These pieces are not necessary for the final product.

Adding Trim to the Frames

Step 2: Middle Trim

After assembling both dressers, cut the middle trim pieces to size and attach them to the inside of dresser one, with my nail gun, 1 1/4″ brad nails and wood glue.

Step 3: Side Trim

Cut the side trim pieces to size and attach them to the outside, sides of both dressers with 1 1/4″ brad nails and wood glue. All trim pieces should be flush with the outside of the cabinet frame.

Joining the Dressers

Step 4: Bring the Dressers Together

Once the trim is all attached, bring the two dressers together, making sure they are flush with each other.

Use wood glue and 1 1/2″ wood screws to attach on the front and back side, through the inside of the dresser frame, into the middle trim. Do this on both sides of the dresser.

Base Trim

Step 5: Attaching the Base Trim

Cut the front, bottom base trim to size. Attach it to the front of the dressers with 1 1/4″ brad nails and wood glue.

Giving the Dresser a Top

Step 6: Adding the Top

Cut the project panel to size and attach it to the top of the dressers with 1 1/4″ brad nails and wood glue. There should be a 3/4″ overhang on both sides and the front. The back should be flush with the back of the dressers. You can also use wood slats for the top of the dresser.

Note: I stained the top and painted the dresser before attaching.

The Finish for my IKEA Hack

Step 7: Wood filler

Make sure to fill any of your exposed nail holes with wood filler and give it alight sanding (you can use a sander or sandpaper for this).

• You can find the wood filler I use here.

Step 8: Paint

I opted to stain the project panel and paint the base. I painted the cabinet base before attaching the top.

I used two coats of our FAVORITE paint by Valspar. It works so well for furniture, doors, trim and cabinets. We have used it for years, it requires zero sanding or priming and can paint directly over any paint (including oil-based). I had it tinted to Sherwin Williams Extra White.

• You can find the Valspar Cabinet and Furniture Paint that we use here.

Step 9: Stain

While the paint was drying, I applied one coat of Golden Oak stain by Varathane over the entire project panel.

I stained the top before attaching it to the dresser.

• You can find the stain that I used here.

Step 10: Hardware

Once the stain and paint had dried, I got busy attaching a cabinet pull to each dresser drawer. You can get really creative with the hardware, from knobs, to pulls, there are so many different ways to style this piece and make it your own!

• You can find the drawer pulls that I used here.

That was it!

This Malm Hack was such a fun, easy and needed project! I love that I was able to create a large custom-looking dresser out of two basic dressers. It’s so versatile, too. It would look great in an entryway, master bedroom, a family / living room or any spot you need a lot of storage space.

The possibilities to make this piece unique are unlimited. You could change up the drawer fronts with some cane webbing, splurge on some unique leather pulls or even add some texture with a paint technique, wallpaper or fabric.

I love how her room is coming along and I can’t wait to see it all finished. Next up, a nightstand!

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