Everything says something. From the weather, to scenery, to body language. Such psychological prompts are an undercurrent that affect mood.
Color theory and symbolism work similarly. I suggest researching color theory and checking out some books on interior design. Many businesses utilize colors theory such as using colors that stimulate appetite. They carefully choose the color of their logo. These have psychological associations. Blue is often used to represent the free flow of knowledge. Sharp warm colors indicate danger. Cool colors elicit a more mellow response. Think about the color palette of your novel and the psychological associations they represent.
Emotional tension and the music of story beats go hand in hand. The highs and lows of your novel can be charted. Are there proper 'moments of rest' between the high tension? Does the music rise and become louder near the finale? What type of 'song' are you trying to 'compose?' Make a scene list and chart out the emotional beats to get an overview.
Prompts are guideposts. If they come off heavy handed or inauthentic you can break the spell. You can't simply use prompts to make someone to love or dislike a specific character, but you can show why they might feel that way.
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