if that is the case, you need to be more obsessed and play (or solve puzzles) on more types of chess boards. (virtual and OTB)
consider 1/10th of learning to play blindfold- as your clearly exercising you skills at visualization. IMHO.
personally speaking about the only thing that is truly hard for me to use is a "figurine" chess board.
There are some really ugly sets and boards out there that I can't stand to play on. I am so used to a certain setup (not only OTB but in Live Chess as well) that I don't think that I could stand to look at anything else. I think that it would be too distracting for me.
OTB I prefer a Staunton set with brown and white squares on a wooden board.
On Live Chess I prefer the Neo set with green and white squares.
However, is this the case for everyone?