One of the ways I try to improve indoor pictures, especially close-ups or tabletops, as they used to be called, is to simply get the flash unit off the camera. I have pro lighting equipment which I usually use, but expensive gear really isn't necessary.
The flash unit used here is a Vivitar 285 with an extension pc cord. The background is a piece of black cloth.

The picture isn't meant to be a prize winning photo, but to show how easily it is to vary the look of your work...

By taking the flash unit off the camera and over to the side, top or even behind, you can achieve a more 3d look.
I made a "snoot" by taping a piece of paper to the flash to keep the light off the background and going in the direction I wanted. Another piece of paper was stood on the opposite side to bounce light back into the shadows...

The

Here's a little diagram that will clarify it more...

This is such an easy thing to do and it opens so many possibilities with flowers, glassware, jewellery etc.

The picture was taken with my Coolpix 5700 in manual mode, with the flash set on auto for f/5.6

Jarrell.

P.S. it was so dark in the room I could hardly see the flower so I knew the 5700 wouldn't. I held a small flashlight on the flower, did the half press to focus, pointed the light away and shot the photo. The overall picture was taken with a 990 on a tripod and using the time. How the devil it focused on me, I'll never know.