Imagine you have no restrictions what-so-ever.
Draw out a floor plan for your Temple.
Decorate the walls.
Formulate a symbol, or key to act as the door.

Before your practices, take a moment to center thy self.
Visualize the entrance to your Temple, concentrating on the symbol.
Turn the key, enter...
Begin the Work!
Being sure to properly exist the Temple there after.

"I think you're on the right track. You have good ideas and have been given good advice."

Thank you!

"One question: Does the work you intend to do actually require a circle? (Most magick does not.) That would affect the decision regarding the cloth."

Nothing has so far at my level has specifically called for a circle. I assumed, I would need one, but that assumption was based on pictures I had scene of other magical spaces.

I will try the candles for now. Thanks again for all the help.

For me my space is how I seclude myself, making sure I have privacy. Windows have blinds or curtains, doors lock, electronics unplugged.

When a space has to be shared, I have found sage incense the best at clearing, along with my either my hand drum or tambourine.

Sometimes I have had to spend more time preparing a space, then time actually working in the space, but for me that's what had to be done at that moment.

I always put my personal items away, and do not leave them about.

One question: Does the work you intend to do actually require a circle? (Most magick does not.) That would affect the decision regarding the cloth.

One tip: Rely heavily on candles. I've often had a working space that I created as magically inert until I lit a specific candle on it (or a pair of candles, or set of candles etc.). I never lit the candle until I had composed myself to the right inner attitude, then the candle was the trigger that transformed the setting. Extinguishing the candle(s) was the physical signal for returning from the magical sphere to a mundane space.

You can also use candles to define your working space if you don't need a hard circle. For example, get one each of yellow, red, blue, and green votive holders - usually readily available - and mark the quarters with them. Or get 12 matching votive holders and use them to form a more complete circle. That adds vibrancy and inner vitality, actually attracts astral currents appropriate to most work, and significantly sets the space aside from a mundane setting.

"Do you have a magical space prepared within?"

Within myself? Yes/No, I guess we all have a magical space within, I am working on enlargening mine, maybe knock a few walls down and put on an extension.

I will try the carpet and alter. Mostly I just don't want to paint on any surfaces and void my lease. But I can always improvise a little.