I'm another who uses the basket from room to room system. Even if the stuff doesn't get put where it belongs at least it is tidy and I know where it is.

My dining table is usually covered with books, papers, keys, etc so I tend to stack it all in one pile at one end of the table. It looks neater that way until I get a chance to put things away.

I had trouble with DH putting his dirty washing in the laundry hamper. He'd just leave his clothes on the floor next to it! Until one day I had enough and I said to him if it's not in the basket by Friday night it doesn't get washed. I only wash what's in the basket. It took a week and no clean work shirts and trousers before he co-operated

Have you thought about taking some photos of your house and yard? Print them out and show your man. Sometimes they just see past it all but a picture allows you to step back from it and see it all in reality. He might wake up to it then.