How did you successfully get a cat not to claw the furniture?

Cat owners, please share with me your successful strategies for dissuading a cat from ruining upholstered furniture.

I am familiar with keeping a spray bottle of water on hand. I’ve heard of commercial spray repellent. Does it work?

My apartment owner has relented, and we’re now allowed to have cats. I’m thinking of getting one from a shelter. I would likely get a female that is old and lazy.