When you walk into a room and there's a bit of an atmosphere, it strikes you straight away. Usually, it is generated by emotional tension between the people in the room, or the person entering it, but it can be quite fun to unpick this a little further and discover what supplementary tools may be at your disposal.
Some visual detail can be helpful: is the space well or poorly lit, does it have a sense of order or disorder, is it well cared for or neglected ? The smell of a place can be incredibly evocative, as well -- scents can resonate powerfully in the memory; they can attract or repel.
Another aspect which is often neglected, but which you might like to consider is the soundscape in any situation. Stop for a moment and think what sounds summarise happiness - children's laughter, wine pouring from a bottle; or desire - a zip being unzipped, slowly; or expectation -- a match being lit; or menace -- the slow approach of footsteps.
Ambiance can be a useful prelude to action, the springboard to a moment of drama. Why not have a go at working up an atmosphere -- it can help to put your reader in the mood, and you, the writer, as well.
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