apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

Although the Malm looks good, it does not stand up to time. I am now on Malm #2, which needs to be replaced again, after approx 5 years. I wouldn't recommend using one of these as a changing table.

Do most people tend to use the 3 drawer-high malm instead of the 4 drawer-high malm as a changing table? Isn't that fairly low?

Wow, I love "Matilda's Delicious Yellow Haven."

Is there any way to add the contest entries into the Kids Room Tour archives? Or add links to past contest rooms somewhere from the main page? Those rooms are too cool to miss out on if you started following ohdeedoh after the contest ended. . .

Thanks!
:)

Does anyone know about the cubby storage to the right of the Malm?! It's exactly what I'm looking for for my daughters room.
Thanks!!

cswitz and javesmom,

I used and am still using the same white 3-drawer Malm as a changing table for both my girls. One who is 5 years old now, and the other who is 18 months (so we are still using it). Our changing pad is contoured, strapped down, and has traction below it (which you can also create by cutting down a rug anti-slip under it). I am about 5 ft 5" and it is a comfortable height for me.

So we have had the oldest Malm for 5 years now and it is still working great, no stains, chips, or broken parts. It's also survived a move. An added plus, the drawer lip design makes it less appealing to curious young children who gravitate towards knobs.

Confettigirl415, if you are referring to picture 1, it is the Expedit,

http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/40047675

When IKEA recently had a promotion to buy the Malm dressers at $40(?) each, we purchased 6 units - either dark brown or white. Three of them went to a nursery, three in a row - very modern but functional. The dark brown units went to guest rooms and master bedroom as interim side-tables and it's really grounded space a little better than 2 small side tables.

Grace Hester Designs
Silhouette- and typography-based artwork and prints

I love Ikea's furniture - sure it may not last a lifetime, but it should last for the life of the nursery which is what I'm currently looking for. The expedit is next on my list to buy to use as a bookshelf for our little guy's new space. Thanks for these pictures because it helps to see it in other rooms.

Thanks! I'm making a trip to IKEA today!!

I have no idea why your Malm dresser isn't "holding up." Is it assembled OK. Perhaps you should call IKEA. That is really odd. Especially for the Malm. I have the 3-drawer one that I have had for about five years too and have disassembled and moved it twice. It is now relegated to the garage where it is doing duty as a tool chest and still going strong. Although, in reality, it isn't intended to be an heirloom piece.

Speaking of Malm. Has everyone seen these? http://www.grippiks.com/index.html

We have a Malm in the room my two boys share. We have had it five years now. That thing has been treated rough. It has even had stuff spilled all over it when I was not aware (ie wet stuff sat on it and then dried on). It has not chips, is still structurally sound (very sturdy) and wipes clean every time.

I was just thinking to myself yesterday how well that thing has held up to punishment, so I was surprised to read someone's comment here about theirs not doing the same.

Do I expect to pass it on to the granchildren? No. But for a dresser in a kid's room that thing has been da bomb.

It's better to buy a couple of the 3-drawer Malm units and set them side-by-side than one longer 6-drawer unit (as shown in the photo above) because the longer units tend to sag badly in the middle.

javesmom- i think the 3 drawer malm is closer to regular changing table height, but we purchased the 4 drawer malm for our sons changing table. i'm short (5'3") but my back kills me after lots of bending down (which i experienced with my regular changing table we had at first), the taller dresser its much more comfortable for myself and my hubby who is taller to change our son- plus more storage!

In our room (the first photo), we have the 6-drawer version as the changing table. I'm 5'3" tall and it works fine for me height-wise. It's one big unit and I've had no problems with sagging or anything. One thing is the back of the dresser is cheap-o particle board or something and is very thin. So, we put a little CD player in the top drawer and cut a hole through the back of the drawer to feed the wires through. That way, it can be hidden away. Just a little idea!

@Confettigirl415, the bookcase on the right of the Malm is the Expedit bookcase. I have it in black-brown in my toddler's room.

Does anyone know where the upholstered rocking chair is from in the bright green room? (or something similar)

we have three of the 3 footers side by side and they've created great space and storage. we never used them as a changing table but i would say they are not sturdy. two of the bottom drawers have broken -- the wood piece right at the top of the unit, and i don't think from that much abuse. so while they are good and efficient not exactly long term investments.

Does anyone know how you get the contrasting colored dresser drawers? I love the first photo with the alternating white and light birch drawers but think the dressers come in a solid color, right?

quiltmaster,

yes I have seen grippiks! But I have not found their patterns appealing and kept checking back for more options but nothing new so far.

ahmurphy7,
All I can gather from the article is that it is from Wal-Mart. So I went and looked, do you think it's this one?

http://www.walmart.com/Upholstered-Rocking-Chair/ip/5854897

If yes, not a bad deal especially since you can buy a slipcover for it.

Is it just me or is it time that IKEA designed and manufactured an affordable and comfortable solution for a rocker?

Grace Hester Designs
Silhouette- and typography-based artwork and prints

to lakegeneva 3,

they probably purchased 2 dressers, one in each color, and switched out the drawers

I remember reading about the birch/white combo malm. I think it was a hack job with wallpaper. Search the archives.

I did my measuring and decided that Hemnes was a better option for my changing table. A 3-drawer Hemnes is taller than a Malm and the surface is larger than the changing pad, which gives me space to store diapers, wipes, clothes etc. What I've found with a lot of AT nursery tours is that they don't show where such necessities would be stashed, as in Photo #4.

I have three malm dressers- one a little rough, the other two going strong for four years now. but there's a trick to it, which is what I learned on the first one and why the other two are in great condition. At least every six months you have to take a screw driver and tighten all the "ikea bolts" or whatever the hell those things are. Otherwise over long time and rough use they eventually loosen, and it's when things are slightly loose or wobbly that the "wood" bends, breaks, and permanent damage is done.

Keep everything nice and tight and the things last beautifully. I tighten them every season as part of my seasonal cleaning routine.

Wouldn't recommend them for someone who had their own house and wanted some solid furniture that will last the next twenty years, but for apartment dwellers or people who expect to redecorate when the kid is older, they're pretty great.

Does anyone know where the crib bedding is from, in the bright yellow and white?