Sacred space is any place or space that is consecrated to the service of or blessed by deity. In my mind there are a few types of sacred spaces which are determined more by origin than by use.
Since early times natural places of power such as springs, caves, isolated grottos or a single tree atop a hill served well as they do today the need to commune with deity. Many of these sites have remained over thousands of years being respected and seen as sacred by different cultures of several pantheons. To me this attests to the fact that these are sacred spaces not because of the will of man but because of the special feel or energies deity has placed within them. This type of space is sacred by its very nature and the deity that created it. Making it a Naturally Sacred Space.
It wasn't long before people felt the need to have access to deity without traveling long distances to the naturally sacred sites. Many slowly moved away from using the natural sites sacred to their ancestors to erect home shrines dedicated to family guardians and buildings to service the community. As civilizations grew their focus changed from rural to more urban concerns. Churches and Temples where placed on some naturally sacred sites but more for often than not convenience determined their locations. Spaces that have been choose by man and consecrated like Sabbath circles, grave yards or the above churches of convenience are termed as Assigned Sacred Spaces.
Most all humans at some time in their life will define a space as sacred. It might be an old rocking chair that no one is allowed to sit in, because it belonged to a favor relative who has recently pasted. It could be the family camping spot full of the fond memories or that safe quiet place you go went the world just seems too much. Any one of these could be sacred to you and no one else, making them Personal Sacred Space.
The divisions between these types of spaces can be very vague at best. Any give space can be in combination with another. Many are the methods and practices used to consecrated a space. The important aspect of each of these is not their dissimilarities but the truly universal human desire or need to have them. Sacred space above all else is for man not the gods. Most, if not all people need help from time to time with the process of getting and/or staying in tuned with their deity or using the energies of the world around them. To this end deity has instilled in mankind the concept of sacred space. The only requirements are the needs of the individual. For some, all it takes is a still spot in their mind for a moment of prayer. Others may commune with nature. And let's not forget the folks with the grand halls and stained glass windows. The bottom line is that the reason for sacred space is the same no matter how or by whom it was designed. Humanity cannot agree on many things including religion. But all cultures have recognized the sacred space of others. Sacred spaces are a gift from the God/dess to be found in all paths. Whichever type or style you choose,
Go with the Gods and Blessed Be!