I am moving into a new place, and we have a pretty good balcony (praise god!) I am hoping to start growing some tomatoes in order to save money, and develop my own soil/humus/compost.

But, I have never composted before, but I read up on it and saw that ventilation, water, and food is needed to make a proper compost that won't smell too bad. I have been looking up compost designs, such as:

http://www.gardening-experts.com/wp-content/gallery/general-gardening/compost-bin-designs.jpg

http://www.co.ho.md.us/uploadedImages/Home/Environment/Environmental_Services/compost%20bin.jpg

I need something that's not too big, but will do the job. Would a mesh trash can or a plastic laundry basket with drainage in it work? What's your compost like?

http://images.bedbathandbeyond.com/assets/product_images/230/14982421678.jpg

http://www.vegetablegardener.com/assets/uploads/posts/5215/IMG_1396.jpg