When I first got my babies I used those anit-cat sprays to prevent them from scratching the furniture. They seemed to work quite well, but I also provide a couple of scratching posts (with catnip) as an altnerative. I still have all of my furniture (with very few marks).

The sprays have a horrible smell and I didn't want to stain anything so I sprayed them on a rag and then put the rag on the furniture I didn't want them to use. After about a week that took care of things.