The IKEA Brimnes and Malm collections are both extremely popular bedroom solutions from IKEA, but they prioritize different needs. The Malm series is defined by its timeless, minimalist design with sleek, unadorned surfaces, making it incredibly versatile, while the Brimnes series is designed for maximum functionality and built-in storage, making it a powerhouse for small-space living.
Here's everything you need to know to decide which IKEA bedroom collection is the right fit for your home and lifestyle.
IKEA Malm Collection
The Malm is one of IKEA's most iconic and best-selling furniture lines, celebrated for its simple, clean, and classic Scandinavian look. It serves as a versatile foundation for any modern bedroom, characterized by its flat-front drawers, straightforward silhouette, and lack of visible hardware. The collection’s strength lies in its ability to blend seamlessly into various decor styles without overpowering the space.
- What it is: A best-selling collection of minimalist bedroom furniture including bed frames, dressers, and nightstands.
- Key features: Clean, unadorned lines, flat-front panels, smooth-running drawers, and available in multiple finishes like white, black-brown, and various wood veneers. Bed frames can be purchased with optional under-bed storage drawers.
- Price: Bed frames range from $199 to $449, 6-drawer dressers are around $279. Generally budget-friendly, but adds up with storage additions.
- Style: Classic Scandinavian minimalism. Its timeless design works well in modern, contemporary, Japandi, and transitional interiors.
- Materials/Construction: Primarily made of particleboard and fiberboard with wood veneer or painted finishes. Metal hardware ensures drawers operate smoothly.
- Pros: Extremely versatile design that won't go out of style. Wide range of sizes and matching pieces available. Affordable price point for a complete bedroom set. The simple look is easy to customize with different hardware or paint.
- Cons: So popular that it's not a unique choice. Veneer and painted surfaces can be susceptible to chipping or scratching with heavy use. Requires careful assembly to ensure sturdiness.
The Malm collection is the perfect choice for anyone who values timeless, versatile design and wants to create a clean, minimalist backdrop for their bedroom.
Shop this product: ikea.com/us/en/cat/malm-series-16281/
IKEA Brimnes Collection
The Brimnes collection is IKEA's answer to smart, functional storage solutions for the bedroom. While still offering a clean, modern aesthetic, every piece in the Brimnes line is designed with utility in mind. Its standout features include bed frames with built-in storage drawers and headboards with integrated shelving, making it a favorite for small apartments, condos, and guest rooms where every inch counts.
- What it is: A modern collection of bedroom furniture focused on integrated, space-saving storage.
- Key features: Beds with four large under-bed storage drawers included standard, headboards with built-in shelves for books and chargers, and dressers with frosted glass top drawers.
- Price: Bed frames with storage cost around $349-$499, dressers are around $149-$199. Excellent value considering the amount of storage included.
- Style: Functional modern. It’s less minimalist than the Malm, with slightly more detailing like recessed panel handles. Best suited for contemporary and functional spaces.
- Materials/Construction: Made from particleboard and fiberboard with a foil finish, similar to other IKEA lines. Select pieces incorporate tempered glass.
- Pros: Unbeatable storage capacity for the price. The all-in-one design (bed + drawers + headboard shelves) is perfect for small spaces. Clean, contemporary aesthetic complements modern decor. Eliminates the need for separate storage units.
- Cons: The foil finish can be less durable than Malm's veneers. Integrated design offers less customization flexibility. The aesthetic is more obviously "functional" and less timeless than Malm.
Brimnes is the ideal solution for anyone whose top priority is maximizing storage in a compact space without sacrificing a clean, modern look.
Shop this product: ikea.com/us/en/cat/brimnes-series-14967/
Malm vs. Brimnes Comparison
Style & Versatility
This is the biggest distinction between the two collections. The Malm is a true design chameleon. Its ultra-simple, hardware-free look allows it to fade into the background or serve as a clean canvas for any style - from bold and eclectic to serene and minimalist. You can place it in almost any type of room and it will look natural.
The Brimnes, on the other hand, wears its function on its sleeve. The distinct look of the recessed handles, built-in headboard shelves, and four-drawer base gives it a decidedly utilitarian and modern appearance. While still clean and contemporary, its style is less about blending in and more about showcasing its practical features. It fits perfectly in functional, present-day spaces alongside other smart storage solutions.
Storage & Functionality
Brimnes is the clear winner if your primary concern is storage. The bed frame comes standard with four deep, full-extension drawers - two on each side - offering a massive amount of hidden storage for clothes, linens, or shoes. The optional headboard adds even more utility with its side shelves, perfect for replacing a nightstand in a tight space. Every element is designed to serve a dual purpose.
The Malm offers storage as an optional add-on. You can buy the bed frame alone for a floating look or purchase two or four under-bed drawers separately. These provide good storage, but they don't hold as much as the built-in Brimnes drawers and aren't as seamlessly integrated into the initial design. The core function of the Malm is to be a bed frame first, storage unit second.
Materials & Construction
In terms of core construction, both collections are very similar. Both rely on IKEA's standard use of particleboard and fiberboard as their base material. The key difference lies in the surface finish. Malm pieces typically come in a painted finish or a real wood veneer (in colors like oak), which often feels a bit more substantial and can be more resistant to minor wear.
Brimnes primarily uses a foil finish, which is effectively a printed laminate. While durable enough for everyday use, foil can sometimes be more prone to peeling at the edges or sustaining visible scratches over time compared to wood veneer. For most users, this difference isn't a major issue, but the Malm's finish feels slightly more premium.
Price & Value
While individual prices fluctuate, the collections offer different kinds of value. A basic Malm bed frame is often cheaper than a Brimnes frame. However, once you add the cost of four under-bed storage drawers to hit the same storage capacity as a Brimnes, the prices become very comparable, with the Brimnes often coming out as slightly more affordable for an all-in-one storage solution.
Ultimately, Brimnes offers superior value for storage efficiency - you get a bed and a dresser's worth of space for one price. Malm offers superior aesthetic value - you get a more timeless and versatile design for a very accessible price, with the option to add storage as your budget and needs allow.
Which One Should You Choose?
Both collections offer excellent solutions for a modern bedroom on a budget, but they cater to very different priorities.
Choose the Malm Collection if:
- Your priority is a timeless, minimalist aesthetic that can adapt to changing decor styles.
- You have a medium to large bedroom where ample storage isn't the number one concern.
- You prefer the look of wood veneer and want a slightly more premium-feeling finish.
- You want furniture that serves as a quiet, clean backdrop rather than a multitasking feature piece.
Choose the Brimnes Collection if:
- You live in a small apartment, condo, or dorm and need to maximize every square foot.
- You love all-in-one solutions and want your bed to double as a dresser.
- Saving space with a storage headboard instead of separate nightstands is a huge plus.
- Functionality and practicality are more important to you than achieving a pure minimalist look.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the main difference between Malm and Brimnes storage beds?
The main difference is integration. The Brimnes bed with storage is a single unit, the four drawers are part of the core design. The Malm bed frame is a standalone item, and the storage drawers are optional roll-out containers you purchase separately and place underneath.
Which collection is easier to assemble?
Both require significant assembly typical of IKEA furniture. However, the Malm bed frame is generally simpler and faster to build than the Brimnes. The Brimnes has more parts due to the integrated drawers and more complex frame, so expect it to take longer.
Can you use a box spring with these beds?
No. Both the Malm and Brimnes are platform beds designed to be used with a mattress on top of wooden slats (sold separately at IKEA). Using a box spring would make the bed too high and isn't necessary for support.
Is the wood veneer on the Malm real wood?
Yes, the veneer finish on Malm products is a thin layer of real wood applied over a particleboard core. This provides the look and texture of solid wood at a much lower cost.
Which dresser is better, Malm or Brimnes?
This depends on style. The Malm 6-drawer dresser is wider, longer, and a classic choice for providing a large tabletop surface for decor. The Brimnes dressers are often taller and more compact, designed to offer storage in a smaller footprint. The two lines have different drawer configurations, so check the dimensions to see what fits your space and needs best.
How durable are the drawer mechanisms?
Both collections use smooth-running metal drawer glides that hold up well to normal daily use. As with any ready-to-assemble furniture, proper assembly is crucial for ensuring the drawers operate correctly and last a long time.
Can you paint or customize IKEA Malm or Brimnes furniture?
Yes, both can be customized, but the Malm is often considered easier to paint. Its wood veneer or painted surfaces provide a better base for primer and paint. The Brimnes' foil finish is slicker and non-porous, so it requires scuff sanding and a high-adhesion shellac-based primer to get paint to stick properly.
Do I have to anchor the dressers to the wall?
Yes, absolutely. Both Malm and Brimnes dressers come with safety hardware, and IKEA strongly instructs customers to anchor them securely to a wall to prevent tip-over accidents, which can be a serious danger, especially in homes with small children.
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