Home Altar Space Advice

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Stephen459

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I’m trying to build a home altar, but I don’t have much space to work with. I’m currently at my mother’s place ( who is not Catholic), so the only space I can have an altar is in my bedroom. Unfortunately, there’s not much space. The altar area would have to be used for more than one activity, unfortunately. Any advice would be appreciated!
 
A folding Triptych Icon can be put in the drawer and brought out as needed, as well as a standing cross or crucifix (which could also be on the wall).
 
I’m not sure “altar” is the right word in this instance. I assume you mean a prayer corner or some such, or a place to keep icons, bible, breviary, etc.

A more proper term for a dedicated place to pray is, well, “prayer corner”, or a bit more formal, an oratory.

I have a simple oratory I had built in my office/study/cell, a bit inspired by Carthusian practice (though I’m a Benedictine oblate). A simple chair, prie-Dieu, and partition to separate it from the rest of the room, plus a small shelf for my icon of the BVM and Infant Jesus. Decor is simple, crucifix, a couple of candles, and a censer and voilà. It’s where I pray the Liturgy of the Hours. The partition is permanent, but if the space needs to be used for other things you can use a folding room divider.

Here’s what the result looks like:

(Please Note: This uploaded content is no longer available.)

Here’s a simple folding partition you could use:

 
A prayer niche might be as simple as a windowsill or the top of your bookshelf, or as pictured above, a small floating shelf.
 
It need not be fancy. If I were to go minimalist with my space I would keep a book of the word (bible, missal, or devotional), a candle, and a sacred image (crucifix, prayer card, or a rosary would do). Listen to whatever makes you feel focused on prayer and marks the space as sacred.
 
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