The order of things!

Ah! I have a similar "assistant". Mine has to be dragged, kicking and screaming, to the room in question and pretty much locked in before he will start to clear it of his treasure crap. But you can't leave him unattended for long because, if you do, he'll have settled into a corner of the room and will be lovingly revisting his forgotten treasures crap and deciding that he can't bear to part with them afterall. Far quicker to do it all on my own whilst he's out. And he never misses what I've chucked out. Once that lots out of the way, the jobs a breeze.

I decorate wall by wall, move furniture back from one wall decorate, walls and woodwork, move furniture back, clear next wall.

There is a division of labour in this household. DH builds extensions, rewires whole houses, fits kitchens and bathrooms and then feels he deserves a break. Decorating is entirely my responsibility. He will help me move things, remove anything that needs unscrewing - and if reminded put them back up again, but after that it is up to me.

I agree with you, clear the space of all that is moveable, then only bring back what you know you want in there and clean it before you bring it back.
Maybe some people need to go to a quiet corner to play at cleaning (?) nicely. I know mine would.

Glad I'm not alone Squiffy but it is a tad annoying, to say the least!

?? Mine's like that, too! ?