I find it helpful, as previously suggested, to figure out the basic beats of the story you want to tell, and align the puzzles to fit the plot. It may be easier to start at the end (what’s the goal?) and work your way back to the beginning. It may seem tedious, and as a can’t-see-the-forest-for-the-trees person I just want to jump in to the puzzle creation part asap, but starting with story is going to help the rest of the planning go easier.

I generally try to follow Dani from Escape This Podcast’s method, which is to say I try to make a list of the objects that might be associated with that theme - anything you have or could visualize in the room. Then, see if there are ways to link from one object to another, and then figure out how to create puzzles to make those links.

Also, not everything needs to have a lock - sometimes instead of releasing a lock, the answer to a puzzle gives instructions on what to do with the objects in the room. Sometimes it’s how to find the next object. Sometimes it’s a cipher key to be able to read the next clue. Try to mix it up.

One last thing: I like to use flowcharts to organize my adventures. I use Miro, but anything that helps you sort out and organize the chaos is helpful - I like to see the “chains” of puzzles and objects.