Well, here's what I did (unintentional, but it worked out perfectly!) :
1. Let the basement clutter up with car parts, speakers & other stereo equipment, regular household tools, etc.
2. Keep putting off projects like the poor lighting and disorganization of the laundry room and the large storage closet--say you'll get to it "some day."
3. Talk about how it's such a shame that the $150 All-Clad stock pot just sits there collecting dust, except for the 2 or 3 times a year when we have lobster.
Then, when the brewing equipment arrives, spring into action!
1. Buy/build a whole bunch of shelves and other organizational aids, and tidy up the closet and laundry room.
2. Get all the car stuff and tools into the garage where they belong.
3. Sell off SOME of the old stereo equipment.
4. Clean the entire kitchen, top to bottom.
Then brew! My wife loves the way the house smells on brew day (maybe I got lucky there?) Out of my usual OCD behavior, I clean and organize the hell out of everything when I'm done. This is not only good for the lady of the house, but just a good practice for homebrewing.
Then, when it's all done, for the
piece de resistance... upgrade the lighting in the laundry room.