Considering an idea I saw on fb where you put get well cards addressed to yourself up on the mantle or coffee table so when unexpected guests arrive they think you've been too sick to clean .
I used to leave the vaccuum out, plus a duster. I would quickly dust the most obvious area, like the coffee table and tv cabinet, that way it looked like someone interrupted me cleaning

Honestly though, having a duster just hanging about the lounge room is really handy. Quick dust of a shelf or two every now and then helps.