The IKEA Malm and Songesand series are both popular bedroom furniture collections, but they cater to very different styles. The Malm series is known for its sleek, modern, and minimalist lines, while the Songesand family features a more traditional, classic design with softer details and a warmer aesthetic.
Here's a detailed comparison to help you decide which IKEA collection is the right fit for your bedroom.
IKEA Malm Series
The Malm is one of IKEA's most iconic and best-selling furniture lines, celebrated for its simple and functional Scandinavian design. Its clean, unadorned look allows it to blend seamlessly into almost any modern or contemporary space, making it a go-to for apartments, first homes, and minimalist decor.
- What it is: A best-selling collection of minimalist bedroom furniture, including dressers, beds with optional under-bed storage, and nightstands.
- Key features: Sleek, hardware-free design with smooth-running drawers and clean, sharp lines.
- Price: Dressers start around $70, with beds beginning at about $200.
- Style: Modern, minimalist, and contemporary Scandinavian.
- Materials/Construction: Primarily made of particleboard and fiberboard with an oak veneer, white, or black-brown finish.
- Pros: Highly affordable price point. Clean, versatile design that fits many decor styles. Wide range of matching pieces available. Simple assembly process typical of IKEA furniture.
- Cons: The particleboard construction is less durable than solid wood long-term. Edges and corners of the veneer finish can be prone to chipping over time. The minimalist design might feel too plain for some.
This series works perfectly for anyone who values a sleek, uncluttered aesthetic and needs a versatile and highly affordable bedroom furniture solution.
Shop this product: ikea.com/us/en/cat/malm-series-11488/
IKEA Songesand Series
The Songesand collection offers a classic, timeless look with more traditional design cues than the Malm. It brings a softer, cozier feel to a bedroom, with features like paneled drawer fronts and classic knobs that nod to a more country or rustic-inspired aesthetic.
- What it is: A collection of classic bedroom furniture featuring beds, dressers, wardrobes, and nightstands with a slightly more traditional feel.
- Key features: Paneled detailing on drawer fronts and headboards, classic metal knobs, and soft edges.
- Price: Dressers start at about $80, with beds beginning around $250.
- Style: Traditional, transitional, classic Scandinavian, and slightly rustic.
- Materials/Construction: Engineered wood with foil or veneer finishes, giving it a sturdy and substantial feel for the price.
- Pros: Timeless style that won't look dated quickly. Feels slightly sturdier and more substantial compared to the Malm. The detailed design looks more expensive than it is. Ideal for creating a warm, cozy atmosphere.
- Cons: Slightly higher price point compared to Malm. The traditional look is less versatile for ultra-modern or minimalist interiors. Fewer color options are typically available.
The Songesand is an excellent choice for those wanting a durable, classic look that provides warmth and timeless character to their bedroom.
Shop this product: ikea.com/us/en/cat/songesand-series-35805/
Malm vs. Songesand Comparison
Style & Aesthetic
The biggest difference between the Malm and Songesand is their design language. Malm is fundamentally modern and minimal. Its design is based on simple, hard lines, hardware-less drawer fronts, and a very low profile. This makes it perfect for contemporary, Scandinavian, and even industrial-tinged spaces where you want furniture to be functional but visually quiet.
Songesand, on the other hand, embraces traditional details. It features paneled effects on its surfaces, simple knob hardware, and more defined edges on its drawer fronts and headboards. This gives it a softer, cozier presence that works well in transitional, farmhouse, coastal, or classic bedroom styles. It’s for someone who wants their furniture to have a bit more character and visual interest.
Materials & Construction
Both collections follow IKEA’s model of using particleboard or fiberboard to keep costs down. The main difference lies in the finish and overall feel. The Malm series uses simpler melamine or veneer finishes that contribute to its sleek look. The construction is solid for daily use but can feel lighter.
The Songesand series often feels a touch more substantial. Its construction, combined with the detailed paneling and heavier hardware, gives it a bit more heft. While neither is solid wood, Songesand tends to give an impression of being slightly more robust due to its design.
Price & Value
Both collections offer outstanding value, but the Malm is usually the undisputed budget champion. Across categories like dressers and beds, a Malm product will typically be 10-20% cheaper than its Songesand counterpart. If every dollar counts, the Malm is hard to beat for functional modern furniture.
However, the Songesand offers excellent perceived value. Its classic look and additional detailing make it appear more expensive than its price tag suggests. You’re paying slightly more for style and a heavier feel, which many will find is a fair trade-off.
Who Each One Works Best For
The Malm collection is perfect for students, first-time apartment dwellers, or anyone who loves a clean, minimalist style. Its "blank canvas" design allows you to accessorize around it without the furniture dominating the aesthetic. Its affordability also makes it a practical choice for kids' rooms or guest rooms that need to be furnished on a budget.
The Songesand series is better suited for someone building a more permanent "homey" space. It's great for family homes, primary bedrooms, or anyone who prefers a warm, inviting, and slightly traditional decor scheme. Its timeless nature ensures it will fit in even if your overall style evolves over the years.
Which One Should You Choose?
Both IKEA collections are fantastic options, but they are designed for different people with distinct style preferences.
Choose the Malm if:
- You have a minimalist, modern, or contemporary aesthetic.
- Your number one priority is a low price point.
- You prefer simple lines and a hardware-free, uncluttered look.
- You need flexible furniture for a smaller space like an apartment or dorm room.
Choose the Songesand if:
- You prefer a classic, traditional, or cozy design.
- You want furniture that has visible details and a warmer presence.
- You are willing to spend slightly more for a sturdier feel and timeless style.
- Your home decor leans toward farmhouse, coastal, or transitional aesthetics.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the main difference between IKEA Malm and Songesand?
The primary difference is style. Malm is designed to be sleek and modern minimalist, with flat surfaces and no hardware. Songesand is traditional and classic, featuring framed drawer fronts and decorative knob hardware.
Is Malm or Songesand more durable?
Both are made from similar engineered wood materials, typical of IKEA furniture. However, some users find that the Songesand feels slightly heavier and more robust due to its construction and added design details. Durability for both will depend on proper assembly and use.
Which series is easier to assemble?
Assembly difficulty is very similar for both collections. Both use IKEA's signature cam-lock system and come with pictorial instructions. Neither is significantly harder or easier to assemble than the other for pieces of a similar size.
Can you find Malm and Songesand in different colors?
The Malm series typically offers more variety in finishes, commonly available in white, black-brown, and a popular oak veneer. Songesand is usually more limited, offered primarily in white and sometimes a brown finish.
Are the dressers from these series safe?
Yes. Following previous recalls a number of years ago, all IKEA chests and dressers, including those in the Malm and Songesand series, come with a tip-over restraint kit. It is essential to safely and securely attach the furniture to a wall as instructed for safety.
Which series has more matching pieces?
The Malm collection is one of IKEA's most extensive, offering a vast array of dresser sizes, nightstands, and bed frame options (including ones with lifting storage). The Songesand series has a full suite of bedroom furniture but typically offers fewer variations than the sprawling Malm line.
Do Malm and Songesand beds require a box spring?
No, neither bed collection requires a box spring. Like most IKEA beds, they are designed to be used with a slatted bed base which is typically sold separately.
How do I care for my Malm or Songesand furniture?
Care for both is simple. Wipe the surface with a soft cloth dampened in water or a mild non-abrasive cleaner. Dry with a clean cloth. Avoid using harsh chemical cleaners, which can damage the finish.
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