Descriptions, whether metaphors or adjectives, must be impetuous, tenacious, and memorable - they must poke the reader in the eye, causing him to be more alert to your words. If your book or story were the mob, they would be your made men. They get attention, according to your orders.
You have your adjectives, your metaphors, your similes.
Give them enough bullets to accomplish the job. A full barrel, minus one, so they can't take you out and ruin the operation.
We'll start with one of our basic sets of descriptive words: colors. Try enhancing your writer's pallet.
I've included my experimentation as examples.
Yellow
The house was a yellow houses shouldn't be.
The house was the yellow that Hummers should be but houses should not.
Orange
He handed me an orange cup.
He handed me a tangerine cup.
Red
She painted her toes red.
She painted her toes like a clown's nose.
Purple
I can't wear a dress that ugly shade of purple!
I can't wear a dress the same color as old lady lips!
Blue
When her eyes were closed she was happy; in dark blue, she let her veins swirl.
When her eyes were closed she was happy; in the same blue as water on blacktop, she let her veins swirl.
Green
The grass is so green and beautiful.
The grass, wearing the same color fashion avoids, is yet so beautiful.
Brown
His hair was brown.
His hair reminded her of bitten M&M's.
Ivory
Her skin was ivory.
Her skin was ivory like a roll of Scotch tape.
Pink
He saw the pink rose and knew it was for her.
He saw a rose, pink like little girls' dreams, and knew it was for her.
Exercise making your descriptions punchier!
Employ your made men!
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