Cat getting scratchy

My biggest fear about getting a cat was that he would scratch up and destroy my apartment.  Had my cat for a week and 1/2 and she has not shredded and completely destroyed things, so I'm sure it could be worse, however, she has scratched a hole in my favorite chair, leather jacket, bed, and my arm.  At the end of the day a cat is still an animal.  She is sweet and licks my arm and purrs but she still has animal instincts.  I have heard people say it is cruel to have a cat de-clawed, and so far the damage is minimal.  But I don't want her to scratch my neices and nephews, or further damage my furniture, so I'm not sure what I'm gonna do about it.  I've heard you can have a cat's claws groomed or something to make them smaller, gonna look into that.  Pissed as I am, I'm glad I don't have super nice things, she hasn't really ruined much, except my favorite chair that really has just a few small holes, not shredded.