Installation Guide: 40x20cm Art Drawer Fronts

An extended drawer front with a screwdriver nearby
Thank you for your interest in installing a 40x20cm art drawer front to upgrade your existing furniture. This type of art piece is designed to mount onto the popular IKEA MALM series 2-drawer chest.

  • Please note: there are similar cabinets such as the newer Storklinta series. However, this art piece is only compatible with the MALM series due to hole placement.
  • Please note: the installation process may expose small parts. Always be mindful around children or pets to prevent choking hazards.
  • Please note: be mindful that the furniture may tip during installation.


Preparation for installation

To install your art piece on your furniture you will need:

  • A MALM series 15 3/4"-wide drawer chest - this furniture is not included
  • A small flathead screw driver (provided with certain products)
  • A small crosshead Phillips screw driver
  • A blanket, towel, or a soft area to place your drawer box
  • The 40x20cm art drawer front product

Optionally:

  • Replacement cam locks
  • Pliers
  • 5/16" wrench
  • Microfiber dusting cloth

 

Step 1: a clean flat space

Please place the blanket or towel on a flat surface large enough to accommodate the drawer front. A bed or couch may also suffice.

 

Step 2: carefully remove existing drawer

It is best to completely remove the drawer from the furniture if you can. Please do so carefully, being mindful of any tipping hazards. If you are unsure if removing the drawer might present hazards, you may continue with Step 3.

Follow the manufacturer's instructions on removing the IKEA MALM drawer box. The instructions will be similar to:

  • Slowly extend the drawer out completely
  • With two hands, carefully pull upwards to move the drawer over the rail catch
  • Slowly pull the drawer box completely away from the furniture
  • Place the drawer on the blanket, towel, or other flat surface

 

A drawer front with a screwdriver nearby

Step 3: unlock the drawer front

Cam lock pointing left

Using a small flathead screwdriver, turn the four cam locks counterclockwise to the left. It is good practice to hold your other hand under the drawer front to catch it in case it suddenly detaches.

Note: the cam locks often have a small indicator arrow. The arrow should be pointed towards the drawer front.

 

A drawer front, with a hand tapping it from behind

Step 4: detach the drawer front

Hold one hand under the drawer front to catch it. With the other hand, gently tap on the inside of the existing drawer front until it pops free. You may also use a soft rubber mallet to gently tap it free. 

Set the detached drawer front to the side.

Note: if a dowel still remains in the old drawer box, please twist it free and set it aside. You may use pliers if it helps.

 

Step 5: add the cam screws and dowels if needed

Some products come with cam screws (the long posts) and dowels (the short posts) already attached.

For those products that come with a small accessory box, please open and remove the hardware. Note that these are small parts, and they should be kept away from pets and children.

Two cases of dowel and cam screw accessories
Tighten the cam screw posts into the inserts. They only require moderate tightness. Please use a 5/16" wrench to hold the insert nut to prevent it from freely rotating.

A loose cam screw and dowel resting the drawer front product

Push the plastic dowels into the remaining open holes. Only use light force to insert.

 

Art drawer front resting in its sateen-lined case

Step 6: align and mount the new drawer front

Remove the new art drawer front from its case and mount it into the existing holes. If the drawer front does not cleanly slide into the drawer box holes, please contact us before continuing further.

After you insert the new art drawer front, keep one hand under it to prevent it from falling out.

 

Step 7: rotate the cam locks closed

Using the flathead screw driver, insert it into the cam locks again and this time rotate clockwise to the right.

Note: if the cam locks have an arrow, it should now be pointed away from the drawer front.

Note: if the cam locks were damaged in the removal process, please use the provided replacement cam locks.


Congratulations!

Installation should be quick as your art drawer front came with all of its hardware attached. Please enjoy your new art piece.

Thank you for supporting artists and our vision of a more inspiring world.