The basket trick is the best - Enchanted knows this one Walk around the house with a basket/box and put everything on the floor and on surfaces that isn't meant to be there in the basket. Then put the basket away in the laundry until you have time to clear it. Perfecto.

I often do 2 runs - one for clothes and one for other crap - works a treat!
I often do this, but then finding the time to empty the basket...hmmm, it might take a while

Like many have said, there's no point doing it till later in the day - it just gets messy again. With DH not getting home till at least 7, if I leave the mess till the kids bedtime, it doen't get messy again before DH gets home. My mother, on the other hand, might rock up at 2.30 for a cup of tea, and silently shake her head at the mess ( i unfortunately did not inherit much domestic goddessness from her )