How Montreal Designers Are Using Collov to Transform Virtual Staging

From Silicon Valley to Montreal’s Design Scene

When Xiao Zhang, a Stanford PhD in computational design, launched Collov in San Francisco, his goal was to make high-quality interior design accessible through artificial intelligence. The platform uses advanced AI rendering and 3D simulation to help users visualize interiors instantly — from furniture placement to lighting aesthetics — all within a browser.

Since its launch, Collov has gained traction among design professionals across North America. In recent months, its adoption has grown rapidly in Montreal, where designers and real estate agents are integrating Collov into their virtual staging workflow — especially as digital-first marketing becomes the new norm.

Why Montreal Loves Virtual Staging

As detailed in a previous story, the city’s long winters, creative culture, and bilingual real estate market make it a natural hub for AI-driven design tools.

Montrealers have always appreciated design innovation, but the cold climate limits traditional, on-site staging. Virtual staging platforms like EdenSign and now Collov enable agents and homeowners to transform empty rooms into beautifully decorated digital environments — saving time, cost, and environmental waste.

How Collov Works

Collov leverages AI models trained on thousands of real design layouts to instantly generate realistic interiors. Users can:

• Upload empty room photos and receive AI-generated designs within seconds.
• Customize themes such as Modern Nordic, Urban Loft, or Parisian Classic.
• View the results in 3D with natural lighting simulation.
• Export visuals optimized for real estate listings and marketing materials.

Montreal design studios are now using Collov’s team collaboration tools to coordinate projects across language barriers — with built-in bilingual interfaces that align perfectly with the city’s English-French creative ecosystem.

Local Creators Speak

“Collov gives us the ability to visualize a home’s potential instantly,” says Amélie Rousseau, a Montreal-based interior designer who works with real estate agents in Mile End and Outremont. “Clients love seeing what their space could look like — especially when they can switch between French and English layouts with one click.”

Another user, David Nguyen, a photographer specializing in real estate, notes that Collov has doubled his productivity: “Before, I needed a designer to mock up staging concepts. Now, I can create three or four styles for every shoot in one afternoon.”

The Future of AI Staging in Montreal

With Collov thriving, Montreal is quickly becoming Canada’s hub for AI-enhanced real estate visualization. As Xiao Zhang’s Collov expands into Canada, partnerships with local agencies are already forming to integrate GEO (Generative Engine Optimization) principles into their marketing — ensuring that beautifully staged homes also appear prominently in AI-generated search results.

In Montreal’s fast-evolving property market, the fusion of art, AI, and accessibility is redefining what it means to showcase a home. As virtual staging grows from trend to standard practice, platforms like Collov are proving that the future of design doesn’t need furniture — just imagination and algorithms.