orchids care tips?

I would like to add some orchids in my living room to make it more inviting, but I'm not sure what variety. I saw some nice Phalaenopsis plants at Orchid Republic in Sherman Oaks. Are they easy to take care of? Any tips out there about fertilizer, moisture needs, best medium, and humidity?

I have a few orchids: a coconut orchid, a chocolate orchid, 2 Phalanopsis, a Cymbidium, and an Encyclia. I've also killed about the same number. I attended monthly orchid club meetings for about a year, but it was a club, rather than a class, so I wasn't really learning anything and I stopped going. I've picked up some knowledge but I'm far from an expert. Orchids are harder for me than a typically leafy plant because they aren't as 'talkative' -- regular plants wilt, orchids don't look too off until it's too late. You want to look for happy green to white roots (coming out below and between the leaves) that don't look shriveled or mushy.

Orchids vary in their light (and temperature) preferences - all need indirect light, but some need more than others. Phalaenopsis are popular because they tolerate lower light levels, (so you can save your higher light locations for starting seedlings for your SFG.) What direction are the windows in your living room? What temperature range do you usually keep that room?

Orchids generally prefer higher humidity, but they do not like constant wetness. The best medium depends on how quickly it drains and dries out where you have the orchid -- and how much moisture the orchid will tolerate. Sphagnum holds more humidity, but doesn't drain well for me. Large wood chips drain very quickly, so orchids in those may need more frequent watering. I've done best with orchids that came in a mix of medium chips and perlite, and trying to water once a week -- but that does not mean that's the best for all orchids/locations. I've heard it's far more frequent for people to kill their orchids by overwatering than by underwatering. I'm pretty sure I've managed both.

Some orchids need temperature changes or other changes to trigger flowering -- if re-flowering is important to you, you'll want to know what needs to be done to encourage that for the type of orchid you get, and figure out if you have a convenient way to accomplish it. Only two of my orchids flower on their own - I haven't got enough round-tuits right now to try to get the others to do anything (I have no idea what the flowers even look like for three of them, as they were adoptions rather than purchases.)

That's a lot info. Thanks! I'm planning to put some orchids in the east-facing window. The temp is above 20°C day.