When crafting a scene in a work of fiction, there are many different elements to consider. Depending on the location of the scene (indoors, outdoors), those elements can change of course. The elements of scene can include sensory information, such as sights, sounds, and odors. But there are other elements to consider that have nothing to do with the sense organs: political climate, social tension, and technological environment.
The first step in setting a scene is to determine which character's point-of-view you're working with. What does the character see, smell, and taste? When is the scene taking place? What are the sources of lighting. What color is the light. Is it bright or subdued? It's important to keep in mind that any information you provide the reader should help them feel the scene that's being discussed. There may be certain elements you want to highlight. Perhaps there's a lamp that conveys information about a character or their motivation.
There may be some scenes where you need to give the setting, the physical aspects of it, a certain personality. If you're writing a horror novel and your characters are inside a haunted house, the way you describe the house can create an atmosphere that enhances the scene. Descriptive words help in this regard.
Another important point to consider is to ensure that the information you convey about a scene is pertinent to the story. In other words, trim the fat. Keep your description lean and to the point. Don't provide details that can distract the reader away from what you're trying to convey. Focus on the elements that help the reader become part of the story. For example, your character might be in a room that's in disarray. You could describe the items in the room that are out of place but you don't need to describe each item in great detail. The main point is to show the reader that the room is a mess. For instance, there might be papers scattered all over the floor but the reader doesn't need to know what's on the papers unless there's something specific on one of the papers that's important to the story.
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