IKEA MALM Bed Frame vs IKEA LAGKAPTEN / ADILS Desk
These are not competing products. The MALM is a queen bed frame at $249.00 at ModeSens as of November 3, 2026. The LAGKAPTEN / ADILS is a 55-inch desk at $79.99. Buy the MALM if you need a bed with under-bed storage. Buy the desk if you need a cheap workspace. If you are furnishing one room, the two can go in the same apartment, not the same spot.
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IKEA MALM Bed Frame
3.9Choose the MALM bed frame if you need a queen bed that needs no box spring, includes slats, and can take MALM under-bed storage boxes.
- No box spring needed; slats included
- Adjustable bed sides fit different mattress thicknesses
- High headboard works for sitting up to read or watch TV
- Optional under-bed storage boxes add bedding space
- Contract grade, so it suits rental or business use
What separates them
| IKEA MALM Bed Frame | IKEA LAGKAPTEN / ADILS Desk | |
|---|---|---|
| Product type | Queen bed frame, 59" wide by 78 3/8" long | Desk, 55 1/8" long by 23 5/8" deep |
| Price | $249.00 at ModeSens as of November 3, 2026 | $79.99 |
| Weight capacity | About 350 lb | 110 lb evenly distributed |
| Storage | Optional MALM bed boxes on casters; listing bundles a 6-drawer chest and 2-drawer chest | Built-in drawer |
| Assembly | Required; SKORVA center beam ships separately and is needed for stability | Required; pre-drilled leg holes |
| Frame and base | Particleboard and fiberboard headboard, oak veneer, polyester | Particleboard top on four steel ADILS legs |
| Leveling | Not listed | Adjustable feet for uneven floors |
Price history
- IKEA MALM Bed Frame: lowest $249.00 on Oct 28 at ModeSens; $249.00 on Nov 3.
- IKEA LAGKAPTEN / ADILS Desk: lowest $79.99 on Oct 28.
Prices at every store
IKEA MALM Bed Frame
- ModeSensNew
In stock
$249.00+ $49.00 shippingObserved Nov 3, 2026, 1:09 PM
Specs compared
| Spec | IKEA MALM Bed Frame | IKEA LAGKAPTEN / ADILS Desk |
|---|---|---|
| Weight Capacity | Around 350 lb (150lb wife + 200lb husband) | 110 lb |
| Assembly Required | Yes | Yes |
| Width | 59 " | 23 5/8 " |
| Height | 39 3/8 " | 28 3/4 " |
| Length | 78 3/8 " | 55 1/8 " |
| Box Spring | Not Required | — |
| Slats | Included | — |
| Type | Bed Frame | — |
| Subtype | Storage Bed | — |
| Style | Modern | — |
| Floor To Frame Height |
What reviewers say
IKEA MALM Bed Frame
With 3.9 out of 5 from 1,157 ratings, the MALM gets credit for a clean look, clear instructions and long service life, but a steady share of owners report noise and stability problems. Complaints about creaking, falling slats and parts loosening are common enough to matter.
- Simple, clean design that looks good in the room
- Easy to assemble with clear instructions
- Sturdy and long-lasting for many owners
- Works as a platform bed without a box spring
- Constant creaking and squeaking from the frame
- Difficult assembly; the included wrench breaks easily
- Wooden slats fall through and parts come loose
- Gaps around a Full mattress; poor wood quality for the price
IKEA LAGKAPTEN / ADILS Desk
Rated 4.2 out of 5 from 240 ratings, most owners call it easy to assemble, stable enough for light use and good value. Complaints center on the soft tabletop surface and legs that shake or are hard to level.
Questions and answers
- Which is better for a small first apartment?
- They do different jobs, so most people need both. The MALM covers sleeping and adds under-bed storage. The desk covers work or study at $79.99.
- Which lasts longer?
- The desk has steel legs and a 110 lb limit, and its weak point is the particleboard top. The MALM's weak points are creaking and slats that fall through. Neither is built for heavy use.
- Is the MALM worth $249?
- It includes slats and needs no box spring, which saves money. Buyers still report creaking and poor wood quality for the price, so check the frame in person if you can.
- Can I put the desk in the same room as the MALM?
- Yes. The desk is 55 1/8" by 23 5/8", so measure the free wall space next to the 59"-wide bed before buying.
- Does either need a box spring or extra parts?
- The MALM needs no box spring, but the SKORVA center beam ships separately and is required. The desk ships as one tabletop and four legs, with no extra parts.
- Which has better ratings?
- The desk rates 4.2 from 240 ratings; the MALM rates 3.9 from 1,157. The MALM's larger sample includes more complaints about creaking and stability.