The Ikea Malm and Hemnes are two of the brand's most popular bedroom furniture collections, but they serve very different needs. Malm offers a sleek, minimalist design made from particleboard for an affordable price, while Hemnes provides a classic, timeless look crafted from more durable solid wood. The main difference comes down to aesthetics and materials: Malm is modern and budget-friendly, whereas Hemnes is traditional and built to last longer.
Let's look at the details of each collection to help you decide which one is right for your home.
Ikea Malm: The Modern Minimalist Mainstay
The Malm series is an Ikea icon, beloved for its simple, clean lines and highly functional design. It's the go-to choice for anyone looking to create a modern, uncluttered space on a budget. The collection is characterized by its unobtrusive look, smooth-running drawers, and a variety of finishes that seamlessly blend into contemporary interiors.
- Product mix: The series primarily consists of bedroom furniture, including chests of drawers, dressers, nightstands, and bed frames with optional underbed storage.
- Style/vibe: Purely modern and minimalist. Malm pieces have a function-first design with a distinct Scandinavian influence, popular in urban apartments and contemporary homes.
- Price point: Very affordable. A 2-drawer chest starts around $70, while the popular 6-drawer dresser is typically priced between $200 and $250.
- Quality & Materials: Constructed mainly from particleboard and fiberboard with a laminate or wood veneer finish. It's functional and serves its purpose well, but it is more susceptible to damage during moves than solid wood furniture.
- Fit & Sizing: Malm dressers are known for their sleek, low-profile designs that work well in rooms with lower ceilings or smaller footprints.
- Assembly: Comes in a classic Ikea flat-pack. The simple design and clear instructions make assembly relatively straightforward for most users.
Malm is an excellent choice for design-conscious shoppers who need functional, stylish furniture without a high price tag.
Shop Ikea Malm: ikea.com
Ikea Hemnes: The Classic Solid Wood Staple
The Hemnes collection offers a more traditional and warm aesthetic, making it feel more like a long-term investment. Built from solid, sustainably-sourced wood, Hemnes pieces have a reassuring weight and sturdiness. Its timeless design details, such as paneled drawer fronts and classic hardware, give it character that suits rustic, farmhouse, or classic decor styles.
- Product mix: Hemnes has a broader range that extends beyond the bedroom to include living room furniture like bookshelves, coffee tables, TV stands, and entryway pieces.
- Style/vibe: Traditional with a country or rustic touch. The visible wood grain and classic hardware create a cozy, warm, and inviting atmosphere.
- Price point: More expensive than Malm, reflecting its solid wood construction. A 3-drawer chest usually costs around $180, while the popular 8-drawer dresser is priced at about $350-$400.
- Quality & Materials: Made from solid pine, a durable and hearty natural material that wears well over time. This makes it much more robust and long-lasting compared to the particleboard used in the Malm line.
- Fit & Sizing: Pieces tend to be more substantial and taller, adding a stronger presence to a room. This is a great fit for larger bedrooms or spaces where you want furniture to feel grounded.
- Assembly: Like all Ikea furniture, Hemnes requires self-assembly. Being made of solid wood, the components are heavier, so having a second person to help is a good idea.
Hemnes is a durable, timeless choice for those seeking a more traditional look and are willing to pay a little more for solid wood craftsmanship.
Shop Ikea Hemnes: ikea.com
Ikea Malm vs. Hemnes Comparison
Price Comparison
Malm is the clear winner on price. Its particleboard construction allows for significantly lower costs, making it accessible for first-time apartment dwellers, students, or anyone on a tight budget. As an example, the Malm 6-drawer dresser is often around $100-$150 cheaper than the comparable Hemnes 8-drawer dresser.
Hemnes commands a higher price because it's made from solid wood. While it costs more upfront, many buyers feel it offers better long-term value due to its superior durability and timeless style that is less likely to feel dated.
Style & Aesthetic
The style difference is the most obvious differentiator. Malm is modern, minimalist, and sleek. It embodies the Scandinavian design Ikea is famous for, with handle-free drawers and a function-forward form. Its simplicity allows it to blend into the background or serve as a clean canvas for decor.
Hemnes leans into a classic, almost rustic look. With visible wood textures, paneled drawers, and distinct metal knobs, it has a cozier and more traditional feel. It complements farmhouse, coastal, and transitional interiors beautifully, adding character and warmth where Malm adds sleekness.
Quality & Construction
Hemnes has a significant advantage in quality and construction. Its solid pine build makes it heavier, sturdier, and far more likely to withstand daily wear and tear or a move to a new home. The drawers feel more substantial, and the overall piece feels more like "real" furniture.
Malm's particleboard and fiberboard construction is perfectly serviceable for its intended use, but it's not designed to be lifetime furniture. The laminate finish can be prone to chipping or peeling over time, and a fully loaded Malm dresser can feel less rigid than its Hemnes counterpart. Care must be taken during assembly and when moving to avoid damage.
Fit & Sizing
Both collections offer a variety of sizes, from narrow chests to wide dressers. However, their design affects how they fit a space. Malm's low-slung, streamlined profile works exceptionally well in smaller rooms or bedrooms with low ceilings, as it appears less bulky.
Hemnes pieces tend to be taller and have a bigger visual footprint. The solid construction and classic design details make them feel more substantial, which is great for filling out larger rooms but can feel overwhelming in a very small space.
Which One Should You Choose?
Your choice depends entirely on your style preferences, budget, and how long you expect the furniture to last.
Choose Ikea Malm if:
- You're on a tighter budget and affordability is your top priority.
- Your home has a modern, minimalist, or contemporary decor style.
- You're furnishing a smaller space and need sleek, low-profile furniture.
- You need a practical solution for the short-to-medium term and don't need lifetime quality.
Choose Ikea Hemnes if:
- You prefer a classic, traditional, or farmhouse aesthetic.
- You can invest a bit more for the quality and durability of solid wood.
- You want a sturdier, more substantial piece of furniture that feels more premium.
- You're looking for furniture that will last for many years and survive multiple moves.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Malm or Hemnes cheaper?
Malm is consistently cheaper than Hemnes across all comparable product types. This is because Malm is made from less expensive materials like particleboard, while Hemnes uses more costly solid wood.
Which has better quality, Malm or Hemnes?
Hemnes has better quality and is more durable. Its solid wood construction makes it sturdier, more resistant to wear, and longer-lasting than the particleboard-based Malm series.
Is Ikea Hemnes real wood?
Yes, the majority of the Hemnes collection is made of solid wood, typically sustainably-sourced pine. This gives it a natural look and feel and contributes to its durability.
How durable is the Ikea Malm?
The Malm series is reasonably durable for its price point but requires care. The laminate or veneer finish can chip if not handled carefully, and the particleboard construction isn't as robust as solid wood, particularly when being moved.
Which is easier to assemble?
The assembly process for both is similar, following standard Ikea picture-based instructions. However, Malm pieces are generally lighter and have a simpler design, which can make them slightly easier and faster to assemble than the heavier solid wood components of the Hemnes series.
Can you paint Ikea Malm furniture?
Yes, but it requires proper preparation. Because of its laminate/veneer surface, you must first lightly sand the furniture and use a good quality primer designed for glossy surfaces to ensure the paint adheres correctly.
Can you paint Ikea Hemnes furniture?
Yes, and it is generally easier to paint than Malm. The solid wood surface can be easily sanded down to create a good base for paint or stain, making it a popular choice for DIY customization projects.
Which is better for small bedrooms?
Malm is often considered better for small bedrooms. Its sleek, simple lines and often lower profile can make a room feel less cluttered and more spacious compared to the bulkier, more traditional design of the Hemnes pieces.
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