I feel that this thread should stay alive.
I'm finding that I abuse traffic orders to make the dwarves behave how I like. For example, all tables are restricted - dwarves will politely walk around only, and I treat them like walls in term of access. Also, in areas like the jail building with a main lobby and front desk, I make dwarves run up to the desk and check in first (a fortress guard will generally be sitting in his 'office' behind the desk) using high-priority lines before moving inside. It definitely adds to my sense of immersion. Plus I like unnecessary things like adding secretaries with full multi-desk offices for each of my main appointed nobles to have working for them and that sort of thing.
Ah yes, I do that too. For some reason, it
bothers me to see an elephant, three dogs, and a herd of cattle standing on a table. Especially when a dwarf comes along and happily sits down to eat.
Oh yes, I also have a personal vendetta against all pets, especially cats. I always build special devices to destroy pets without harming the owners. Cats are different, though. Anyone who immigrates with a cat is given the custom profession "Cat-Friend" and is stationed in a sealed room with the cat. The room is then purged with magma.
My dwarves' rooms are always 3*3, and include a bed, door, cabinet, and chest. Legendaries get a 3*4 room with double doors, and occasionally a personal dining room upstairs. Nobles' offices always have to have a waiting room with a reception desk, then an "interior" door into the office itself. Nobles who
behave (by restricting their mandates to obtainable materials) get clear glass aquariums with live fish.
I dig 1*2 niches in my great hall for artifacts to be placed. By messing around with stockpiles, I can get specific "craft" artifacts into specific places. Then, I seal them off with clear glass windows to give it a nice "museum" feel.