Cat Wall Climber Guide

Cat Wall Climber Guide - How to Make a Cat Climbing Wall Your Cat Will Love

How to Make a Cat Climbing Wall Your Cat Will Love

Choosing the right cat furniture isn’t just about style—it’s about creating a space your cat will love while ensuring a secure and seamless fit in your home. Whether you're setting up a cozy perch, an adventurous climbing wall, or a sleek, space-saving design, taking the time to plan your layout can make all the difference.

This guide will walk you through key considerations before making a purchase, from selecting the best wall for installation and measuring your space to choosing furniture based on your cat’s abilities. You’ll also find step-by-step instructions for locating wall studs, links to installation videos, and downloadable mounting guides to help make setup a breeze.

Need expert advice? Fill out our quick design form, and we’ll provide a complimentary layout recommendation tailored to your space and your cat’s needs. Let’s create the perfect setup for your feline friend!

How Our Cat Furniture Works

We use a modular system that connects to Mounting Planks, which can be installed on various wall types. While our furniture is compatible with multiple wall surfaces, it is specifically designed for installation into wall studs spaced 16 inches on center—the most common stud spacing in residential homes across the U.S. and Canada.

The second most common stud spacing is 24 inches on center, and we offer plenty of cat wall options that accommodate this as well.

Thanks to its modular design, our system allows you to create a functional setup tailored to your cat’s abilities and your wall size, ensuring a perfect fit for any home.

Step 1 - Choosing the Best Room/Wall for your Cat

When selecting the ideal wall, it’s important to choose a location your cat will actually use. Most cats are social and prefer to lounge near people in the home. That’s why living rooms, bedrooms, and offices are great places to set up a cat wall.

Here are a few things to consider:

  • Where does your cat usually hang out? Pick a room where they already spend a lot of time.
  • Cats love a good view. Choose a spot where they can observe a wide area of the home.
  • Near windows or above doorways. Most cats enjoy looking outside, so placing furniture near a window can be a great option.

Step 2 - Measure Your Wall(s)

wall with measurments

Measure the available mounting area on your wall and determine the wall type. Most walls in the U.S. and Canada are made of drywall attached to wall studs.

Cement or Brick Walls

Any of our furniture can be installed on cement or brick walls, and these surfaces offer more flexibility since you can mount pieces anywhere. If you have this type of wall, you’ll need a ⅛” masonry bit and screws for installation.

Cat enjoying the cat wall being built even before it is fully installed!

Step 3: Locate and Mark Wall Studs

If your walls are made of drywall, you’ll need to locate and mark your wall studs. You can either mark the outside edges of each stud or use painter’s tape to help visualize their placement, making it easier to plan your installation.

What Are Wall Studs?

Wall studs are 2x4s (actual size 1.5” x 3.5”) that run vertically inside the wall, forming the structural frame. Once assembled, drywall is fastened to these studs. When installing anything that needs to support substantial weight, it’s best to secure it directly into the wooden studs for stability.

How to Find a Wall Stud

A stud finder is the most reliable tool, but there are other methods if you don’t have one.

One way to understand stud placement is to look at a wall before drywall is installed. If you have electrical boxes (such as outlets or light switches), they are attached to the side of a stud. This can help you estimate the stud’s location. If you don’t mind making small test holes in your drywall (which can be easily patched), you can also confirm the exact stud placement manually.

Additional Methods:

Step 4 - Choosing the Best Furniture for your Cat Wall

Now that you have your measurements and a better understanding of your wall, it's time to find the perfect fit. Our modular system allows you to choose from pre-designed layouts or create your own custom setup to best suit your space. If you’re designing your own layout, be sure to check out our Design Tips for helpful considerations when combining furniture on the wall. Below, we’ll cover the different ways you can shop and find the right setup for your home.

1. Pre-Designed Cat Condos

Our pre-designed structures are built using our modular furniture, drawing from years of experience. We carefully design each piece with optimal routes and spacing to ensure a seamless, functional, and engaging experience for your cat.

All of our categories include a filter where you can enter your wall information to narrow down the options that will fit your space.

2. Building a Custom Cat Wall

Using the modular design to create a completely custom setup is another option. To get started, we highly recommend reading our Design Tips, which will guide you on what to keep in mind throughout the process. On the blog, we also recommend furniture options based on your cat's abilities and personality.

Helpful Design Blogs

custom cat wall with cats climbing

Let us Design your Cat Wall!

As an exclusive perk for our email subscribers, we offer a complimentary, limited design consultation for your cat wall! Simply provide us with details about your space, budget, pet needs, and furniture preferences, and our team will create a layout tailored to your home.

Since we’re a small team, we’re unable to provide revisions, but we’ll carefully craft an initial design we believe works best. Once ready, we’ll send you a layout image along with a video explaining our thought process.

If you're interested, fill out the form with the necessary details, and we’ll get back to you within 3-5 business days with your custom design!

Comments (0)

Leave a comment

Please note, comments need to be approved before they are published.

Articles You May Enjoy

cat standing on stairs

How to Catify Your Apartment - 9 Tips for Having a Cat-Friendly Apartment

Living in a small space with a cat? This guide covers everything—from enrichment and litter box tips to cat-proofing and wall setups—so you and your cat can thrive while keeping your security deposit intact.

Read More »
A pair of cats playing on a corner-installed condo to illustrate efficient use of space in apartments. Finishes shown are Onyx and Natural.

How to Build the Best Cat Playground

Indoor cats can face boredom and health issues, but a well-designed space can keep them happy. As a cat shelf designer, I’ll share tips to create a stylish, functional cat playground.

Read More »
A MUST HAVE FOR CAT OWNERS
NG

Nicholas Geng 

Verified Buyer

collection of cat condos