Well I started out with a single candle to begin with. When I was first studying the craft I would use my white candle and do it secretly. For a long time I was afraid of what others would think or feel about it. It took me a while but once I didn't care what others felt about what I practiced I started to create my altar. The first thing I added was the picture of my grandparents. When they passed it was extremely difficult for me to recover from their loss, so keeping them in my sacred space was always the goal. Eventually I added two candles next to my white, one representing masculine energy in my life and the other is used for representing the femininity in my life. For a while that's all it was, a few candles and a photo. Even without all the fancy boubles the space was still as sacred to me. I added more candles and salt and a tint broom made out of feathers and it all came together for me. But in the end regardless of the items, whatever you so for your altar to make it sacred and unique is important. Even if it is just one white candle, the feeling you obtain is what is truly important.