If it feels like the clash of the titans when you and your spouse have conversations about remodeling plans, you’re not alone. Modern or traditional? Light face-lift or major overhaul? Dark wood or light paint? These discussions can get so heated, you may feel like the two of you have nothing in common when it comes to design, which makes the entire process seem hopeless.

This scenario of design-mismatched spouses is more common than you would imagine. Fortunately, Normandy Designers are used to helping couples navigate these differences of opinion, and even have a few tricks up their sleeves to help things move along smoothly. One of the most effective ways Normandy Designer Leslie Lee uses to help her clients find common ground is the photo sharing website, Houzz.

If you’re not familiar with Houzz, it’s a website that compiles millions of photos, specific to homes, and lets you save your favorites in digital folders called ideabooks. These ideabooks can be focused on different rooms in the home, or different possible solutions you’re considering. “The first step in using Houzz is for you and your spouse to each create your own account,” says Leslie. “This allows each of you to cultivate your own style and preferences without causing conflict. It also lets designers like me see each of your unique perspectives, so that I can compare and contrast both styles, find similarities, and figure out which way to blend them best.”

“Houzz also allows you to create shared ideabooks, making them the perfect way to join forces with your spouse and create a place where both of your ideas are represented,” Leslie states. “In order to create a shared ideabook, you simply enter your spouse’s email address associated with their account in your newly created book. Then, you check the edit box allowing them to freely add their ideas to the shared board.” You may also want to add a brief note in the comment section when adding a picture, to explain to your partner (and to remind yourself) exactly what you liked about a specific photo or idea.

Once your Houzz ideabooks are created, your design professional knows just how to make both of your style voices heard. “For me, asking lots of questions about preferences and functionality allows me to gain a better understanding of each person,” Leslie adds. “Style-wise, there’s usually a color palette or common attributes such as clean lines, that I can spot among all the photos, which may be harder for people to identify on their own. Ultimately, it’s my job to create a design that wows both partners, and people are often surprised at how much I can find they have in common in their likes and preferences.”

When you’re ready to meet with a design professional, your advance prep work will come in handy. “Coming into a consultation with lots of research and examples makes the process much easier,” Leslie states. “It gives me a head start on understanding where you’re coming from, minimizes the potential for conflict between partners, and can make the overall design process go a bit quicker.”

Whether you and your spouse are in-step, or if you need an expert to help you navigate toward a solution, set up a time to talk with Leslie about your home addition or major remodel. You can also get a head start on your Houzz ideabooks, or find even more inspiration and insight on Facebook and Instagram.