How do we create thematic atmosphere in our exhibitions?

While visiting the Maritime and Historical Museum in Rijeka, Croatia last week, I saw an exhibition that got me wondering again about how  museum designers create atmospheres that add to their exhibition theme. Are the objects, texts and photos the only communicative aspects, or are there design elements that also  convey meaning and emotion?

In Rijeka, the project group for the temporary exhibition "Titanic - Carpathia - Rijeka" fashioned sailcloth banners and lines of rope to help tell the life stories of Croatians who were involved in the Titanic tragedy 100 years ago. The result led to a general maritime feeling for the exhibition. It was also an inexpensive solution. You can see a video of the exhibition here: http://recontextual.blogspot.com/2012/07/roping-up.html

I'm interested in learning how other museums also attempt to integrate meaning into their exhibition design. In the process, how have curators, designers and stakeholder communities interacted in developing their ideas into material form?