Are there any threads on this topic already? I am looking to slowly make a dedicated altar in my room. Currently have a few icons, of our Lord and Lady and my patron Saint.

A freestanding crucifix and a pair of candlesticks or candles in a glass.

You might get some ideas here
https://www.cathinfo.com/the-sacred-catholic-liturgy-chant-prayers/repurpose-entertainment-console-into-a-home-altar/

Here it is, in its most recent incarnation:






It's kind of asymmetrical, but I have to work with what I have, in limited space.  The Quebec Sacred Heart flag is to cover secular knicknacks on the chest, and the panel on the right side is more repurposed upholstery fabric affixed to a plywood scrap I had. 

The symbolic "monstrance" is made from a reclaimed rubber stamp tree they were throwing away at my old office, with a circular Sacred Heart plaque where the Blessed Sacrament would be in a "real" monstrance.  The rays are the arms that held the various rubber stamps.  My father made this.  He also made the picture gallery of several traditional Popes from a frame salvaged from a military recruiting office.  It's kind of rustic.  (That's okay, so was he )

The candles are ascending where they should be straight across, but it's all I had, my aunt gave me some candle holders.  (Or I could always just flip the candles on each end, short ones in the tall holders, tall ones in the short holders, leave the middle ones as they are, trim if needed.)

Should you burn candles everyday or only on certain days?

I don't burn the candles.  It's too much of a fire hazard in the space shown in the picture.  If a priest were ever to come to my home and offer Mass, I would burn them just long enough for Mass, and be super-vigilant about flying sparks.  While the "altar" is configured so as to allow for celebration of Mass, in a perfect scenario, there needs to be a riser of some sort, as that would be awfully low.

I would have to be excused from the kneeling part if I were to serve the Mass, as I can no longer kneel except for brief periods in receiving communion, and even then, I have to brace myself against the rail getting up and down.

Surely small tea candles are safe? If they are enclosed?

I wouldn't even do that.  I only spend two or three hours a day in that house, and it's too easy to walk off and forget.

Other people's circuмstances might allow such a thing.

Here it is, in its most recent incarnation:






It's kind of asymmetrical, but I have to work with what I have, in limited space.  The Quebec Sacred Heart flag is to cover secular knicknacks on the chest, and the panel on the right side is more repurposed upholstery fabric affixed to a plywood scrap I had. 

The symbolic "monstrance" is made from a reclaimed rubber stamp tree they were throwing away at my old office, with a circular Sacred Heart plaque where the Blessed Sacrament would be in a "real" monstrance.  The rays are the arms that held the various rubber stamps.  My father made this.  He also made the picture gallery of several traditional Popes from a frame salvaged from a military recruiting office.  It's kind of rustic.  (That's okay, so was he )

The candles are ascending where they should be straight across, but it's all I had, my aunt gave me some candle holders.  (Or I could always just flip the candles on each end, short ones in the tall holders, tall ones in the short holders, leave the middle ones as they are, trim if needed.)

Wow!  This is beautiful!  Thank you for sharing!  🤓

Wow!  This is beautiful!  Thank you for sharing!  🤓

Thanks.  Again, I work with what I have.  It is my mother's house which I stay in a few hours a day, and create the appearance (through lighting and unpredictable comings and goings) that it is lived in, thus deterring potential burglars.  (I ordered a Wyze security suite but it had compatibility issues with my WiFi and possibly my iPhone, so I returned it.)  She does not wish to have nail holes put in the walls, hence the panel with the upholstery fastened to it.  She never goes to that house, due to mobility issues and constant reminders of my father in that house (he passed two years ago), and does not know what I have done with that room, no reason to tell her.