How do I identify the wall type before installing cat shelves?

Identify the wall's construction and the supporting material where the furniture will attach, not merely whether the surface is painted or wallpapered. Masonry, a partition with timber or metal framing, and other constructions may require different installation methods.

A hollow sound or a casual visual inspection is not enough to choose a fixing confidently. Read the shelf manufacturer's requirements and consult a competent installer if you cannot establish what is behind the finish. The position of concealed cables, pipes and other services also matters before drilling. Do not assume every wall in the same room has identical construction. Record the findings for the specific mounting area and confirm that the product's bracket arrangement can work there. The furniture should be selected around verified support conditions rather than buying first and improvising an attachment afterwards.

Record which wall was assessed and mark the intended mounting area on a photograph. Advice about a different wall, or even a different part of the same wall, may not describe the support available at the proposed fixing points.