For those who are still in the broom closet, and possibly living with those who may not approve of your choice, here are some really awesome tips that a friend told me.

If you're afraid of having an altar in plain sight, try some of these tips.

Use your bedside table, or even your dresser.
Add a vase of flowers, real or fake - of colours that support you.  Dollar store is a great place to go
Use tea lights instead of full taper candles, they can be easily hidden in a drawer.
Have photos of loved ones, pets especially.
Have a picture of a beautiful picture of something that reminds you of the gods, but not obviously so.  I have a print of two wolves looking over a cliff.
Decorate with every day items that most people will over look, shells, pretty leaves, anything of the sort.  


Here are some dont's that might be obvious but I'll state them anyways.

Don't put tools that'll automatically make someone question.  A chalice, a knife, a decorated wand, tarot, pentacle ... my mother made that distinction a lot faster than I expected and had to go into hiding once again.  Eventually when I rebuilt it, I was more careful and it went unnoticed.

I'm now very happy living on my own, with 4 wonderful roomates who not only didn't mind my path - but embraced it.  One of my roommate's family are heriditary, so he found it more than interesting seeing how I differ, and his cousin comes over and we talk a lot.

Keep things simple, and keep it you, and you'll be able to have your own altar without worry  Be prepared if they ask questions.  Just say you wanted something different and trying to make your room a bit more personal.

Excellent advice LunaMoon.  I have an altar in my bedroom that no one has noticed, yet it is very meaningful to me.  I haven't been a teenager for several decades but the "to be silent" part of the craft comes in handy so often, even for us old crones.  For those who are truly open-minded and honestly want to learn about my beliefs I will gladly share, but  more often I find people just want fodder to criticize and start gossip with.  There is power in silence.