As a director you should communicate with your art director from day one. Describe every detail of the locations you have written on the page and make lists together of what is in those locations. If you give them enough time and space you will be amazed at what a good art director will come back with. Every prop and every location will become an extra character adding to your overall film. Action defines character.
Props do too.
The interior of a character's bedroom will say more about that character, instantly, than any action or any dialogue. Action and dialogue are what that character is doing. Another misconception is that art direction costs money. It does if you're lazy. Anything you can buy, your art director can borrow.