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Cat Scratchers

Use corrugated cardboard boxes that include catnip.  Sprinkle the catnip over the cardboard and let the cat have at it! They'll soon be sleeping and playing on the box and generally spending lots of time around it.  If they don't take to it right away, run a feather toy over it to engage the cat's nails on it. They'll soon learn that this is the appropriate place to scratch - NOT your furniture.  Unlike conventional scratching posts, it doesn't feel like your carpeting or furniture, so there's no confusion on the cat's part.  It's very successful!

Pieces of wood with bark on them - hey, some people swear by this!

Transparent Double-Sided Tape Sheets

Sold at pet stores and hardware stores. Most cats scratch the same place on the same piece of furniture over and over. Place a sheet of this transparent tape over that place on your furniture.  The cat goes to scratch that place and their paws stick to it.  Cats HATE stickiness.  The tape is transparent, so guests can't see it, but the cat will remember it's there.  You can remove it after a few weeks.  If the cat returns to the spot after that, replace the piece of tape. 

A wicker laundry basket or decorative box - another great suggestion from a past adopter. It will look like a piece of furniture, but serves as a scratching post and again, doesn't feel like your other furniture!

Nail Tips  Sold at pet stores. (or over the internet with any animal website). $15 for 4 sets of nail tips which last for 3 months or so. They make the nails more rounded so that they can't catch on your furniture.

AND.Clip the nails yourself (use regular human clippers and clip from the sides rather than the top downward).

Use a spray bottle to deter scratching.  Use positive reinforcement for good behavior.