No one has mentioned this one yet, I don't think. My wife, who is very understanding, and likes bikes, is also a very very neat and organized person.
So I keep my side of the basement just a bit on the messy side, and that keeps her away. Hard to do an accurate count from 20 feet away.
And I also make a point to show the nice stuff (look at this nice shiney Mafac Racer brake), and avoid showing her the dirty stuff (such as the 3 slightly worn french thread clusters I hope to rebuild into one).
Dan Kasha
Providence RI