The IKEA Malm Low and Malm High dressers share the same minimalist design but differ in height, storage capacity, and visual scale. The Malm Low features a shorter, grounded profile ideal for smaller rooms or multi-purpose use cases, while the Malm High stands taller to maximize vertical storage in the same floor footprint.
Here's a complete comparison to help you choose the right Malm dresser from IKEA for your bedroom.
IKEA Malm Low
The Malm Low is the shorter, more versatile variant in the popular Malm series. Its low profile makes it an excellent choice for kids' rooms, small bedrooms, or spaces where you want storage that doesn't overwhelm the room, such as placing it beneath a window or using it as a media console.
- Description: Low-profile dresser with a sleek, minimalist aesthetic designed for smaller spaces and versatile use.
- Key Features: Clean lines, handle-free smooth-running drawers, available in multiple drawer configurations (e.g., 6-drawer wide format). Typical height is around 21 inches for nightstands and up to 30 inches for wider dressers.
- Cost: $100 &mdash, $200, depending on the number of drawers and finish.
- Style: Modern Scandinavian. Its unobtrusive design blends easily with various decor styles without demanding attention.
- Materials/Construction: Particleboard and fiberboard with a foil or veneer finish. IKEA provides a 10-year limited warranty.
- Pros: Ideal for small bedrooms or children's rooms. Can double as a sideboard or media stand. Fits neatly under windows or sloped ceilings. Lower price point.
- Cons: Limited vertical storage capacity. May feel too short or require bending for comfortable daily use for some adults. All models require wall anchoring for safety.
The Malm Low is perfect for anyone needing a discreet, multi-functional storage piece for a compact space where visual openness is a priority.
Shop this product: ikea.com/us/en/p/malm-6-drawer-dresser-white-10354642/
IKEA Malm High
The Malm High is the taller variant designed to maximize storage without consuming extra floor space. Its vertical orientation provides significantly more room for clothes and accessories, making it a powerful storage solution for primary bedrooms or any space where organization is key.
- Description: A taller chest of drawers from the Malm collection that provides generous vertical storage.
- Key Features: Same clean, modern design as the Low version but with a taller profile, usually ranging from 30 to over 48 inches high. Features multiple smooth-running drawers, often in a stacked or combination layout.
- Cost: $150 &mdash, $250+.
- Style: Modern Scandinavian. Its height gives it a more substantial, commanding presence compared to the Low version.
- Materials/Construction: Made from particleboard and fiberboard with a foil finish and backed by IKEA's 10-year limited warranty.
- Pros: Excellent storage capacity for its footprint. Utilizes vertical space efficiently. Ideal for organizing a full wardrobe in a primary bedroom. Has a substantial feel that can anchor a room.
- Cons: Can feel bulky in small or low-ceilinged rooms. Higher price point than the Low version. Absolutely must be anchored to the wall to prevent tipping, a critical safety step.
The Malm High excels as a primary dresser for those who need to store a lot of clothing and have the vertical space to accommodate its height.
Shop this product: ikea.com/us/en/p/malm-6-drawer-chest-white-60403584/
Malm Low vs. Malm High Comparison
Dimensions & Scale
The defining difference is height. A standard Malm Low 6-drawer dresser is about 30 inches tall, creating a wide, horizontal presence. This low-slung profile works perfectly under windows, artwork, or televisions, and its top surface can serve as valuable display space without feeling cluttered. It's scaled for smaller rooms where preserving a sense of openness is important.
In contrast, the Malm High 6-drawer chest stands at over 48 inches tall. This verticality makes a much stronger visual statement. It draws the eye upward and feels more like a traditional piece of bedroom furniture. While it's fantastic for rooms with average to high ceilings, it can easily overwhelm a small space or one with a low ceiling, making the room feel more constrained.
Materials & Construction
Both the Malm Low and Malm High share the exact same construction. They are built from particleboard and fiberboard with a painted or veneer finish. This is standard for IKEA furniture at this price point, it's affordable and functional for everyday use but won't match the durability or heft of solid wood furniture. Both lines benefit from the same assembly components and drawer slides, and both are covered by IKEA's 10-year limited warranty on manufacturing defects.
Price & Value
The Malm Low is consistently the more budget-friendly option, with a typical 6-drawer model costing around $50-$70 less than its taller equivalent. If budget is your only concern, the Low version is the winner. However, the true value depends on your storage needs.
The Malm High offers significantly more storage volume for a relatively small increase in price. If you divide the cost by the number of cubic inches of storage space, the High version often provides more storage per dollar spent. It's the better value proposition for anyone whose primary goal is to maximize organized storage.
Style & Versatility
While both share the timeless Scandinavian Malm aesthetic, their versatility differs. The Malm Low excels beyond the bedroom. Its shorter stature allows it to function seamlessly as a TV media console in a living room, a credenza in a dining area, or a storage unit in an entryway. Its usability across the home is its greatest strength.
The Malm High is very much a dedicated bedroom piece. Its height makes it less suitable for other rooms, locking it into the role of a chest of drawers. Within the bedroom, however, it serves its purpose perfectly as a commanding storage anchor.
Who Each One Works Best For
The Malm Low is ideal for children's bedrooms, where its lower height is both safer and more accessible. It's also the superior choice for small apartments, dorm rooms, or multi-functional spaces where a piece of furniture needs to be adaptable. If you're looking for bedroom furniture that doesn't dominate the room's visual landscape, the Low is for you.
The Malm High is built for anyone with a significant amount of clothing to store who wants to do so efficiently. It's best suited for medium to large primary bedrooms where its vertical scale can be appreciated. If you find your current dresser overflowing, upgrading to the extra capacity and organization of the Malm High is a logical and effective solution.
Which One Should You Choose?
Both Malm dressers are reliable and stylish choices, but they are designed for different spaces and storage needs.
Choose the Malm Low if:
- You are furnishing a small bedroom, a guest room, a dorm, or a child's room.
- You need a dresser that can fit neatly under a window sill or a sloped roof.
- You want a versatile piece that could also be used as a TV stand or entryway console.
- You prefer furniture with a lower, less imposing visual profile.
Choose the Malm High if:
- Your top priority is maximizing storage capacity for clothes and accessories.
- You have a medium-to-large bedroom with standard or high ceilings.
- You need a primary dresser for a master bedroom to keep everything organized.
- You want a more substantial, traditional-feeling piece of bedroom furniture.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the main difference between the Malm Low and Malm High?
The primary difference is their physical height. Malm High dressers are significantly taller, offering much more vertical storage in the same floor space. The Malm Low has a shorter, wider profile that is more versatile for use in different rooms and compact spaces.
Which Malm dresser is better for small rooms?
The Malm Low is almost always the better choice for small rooms. Its shorter height creates a sense of spaciousness and prevents the furniture from visually overwhelming the area. The High version can make a tiny room feel cramped.
Are IKEA Malm dressers made of solid wood?
No, the Malm series is made from particleboard and fiberboard with a choice of a painted finish or wood veneer. This construction keeps the products affordable but less durable than solid wood furniture.
Do Malm dressers need to be anchored to the wall?
Yes, absolutely. IKEA provides anti-tip hardware with every Malm dresser. For safety, it is essential to securely anchor all units, especially the Malm High, to the wall to prevent them from tipping over.
Can you put a TV on a Malm Low dresser?
Yes, the wide, flat top of a Malm Low dresser makes it a very popular and effective stand for a television. Just be sure to check the weight capacities of both the dresser and your TV to ensure compatibility.
Is the Malm High worth the extra cost?
If storage is your main goal, yes. The Malm High offers considerably more storage for a relatively modest price increase, making it a better value on a cost-per-drawer basis for those who need the extra space.
How long does it take to assemble a Malm dresser?
Assembly time varies based on your experience with flat-pack furniture, but most people can assemble a Malm dresser in 1-2 hours. Having a partner to help can speed up the process considerably.
What is the warranty on the IKEA Malm series?
The IKEA Malm series comes with a 10-year limited warranty, which covers defects in materials and workmanship on the frames and drawer fronts.
At Interior Insider, we're dedicated to curating the best in home decor, interior design, and home essentials to help you discover brands we think you'll love. Every brand we feature is independently selected by our editorial team based on quality, design, and craftsmanship. When you make a purchase through our links, Interior Insider may earn a commission - which helps support our small team and allows us to continue bringing you inspiration and expert advice for creating your perfect space.
Looking for more inspiration? Explore our curated design guides to find your next favorite piece.
