Thanks for your replies!

I spoke to the vet about it yesterday when I took him for his vaccinations and well-kitty check. She said that it would be fine to trim his claws right down as he is a strictly indoor cat and does not need super long claws. She is only anti claw clipping if the cat is allowed to roam outside. She said that I should trim them regularly as he would have little natural trimming done being an inside pet. Apparently if they arent naturally shortened they just grow and grow and grow. She also told me about these claw cover things, if I get desperate.

So a friend who is a groomer showed me how to trim his front claws and voila, no scratching skin and no holes in couch. Happy family and happy cat.