If I'm only doing a 20% -25% I just move the decorations from that part. I don't have any real plants (I can't keep them alive) but if I did I would vacuum around them, which is easier with the statues out of the way.
It's really easy doing it like this, I PROMISE.
I have a 55g cichlid tank with caves and rocks and a ship and tons of places to hide or sleep and all of those are covered by plants so that they are hard to see. It only takes me 30 minutes to do 25% PWC's in 2-55g tanks. And I have Bushynose Plecos pooping everywhere.
it's easy to do, my tanks are crystal clear, my water parameters are stable.
Oh ya, I've had 5 back surgeries and doing the PWC/vacuuming this way doesn't cripple me up for days.
What else could be a problem?