We live in an age where nearly everything we purchase is mass produced. We have become addicted to getting the most for our dollar. There is nothing wrong with looking for value, except that our idea of "value" has become confused and distorted. To many of us, this equates to quantity, not quality, so it is no surprise that most offices are decorated with bland "wall fillers," rather than art per se.

Corporations spend thousands of dollars on "art" purchased in bulk, and a copy is sent to each branch to ensure a homogeneous corporate image. Franchisees are often required by contract to display these pre-approved "corporate art packages" in their stores. Uniformity and consistency have some value in business, but these are not exactly the most flattering terms to define "art." A print or a prefabricated "painting" on the wall is as much art as the print pattern on your skirt.

While individuals often have legitimate reasons for not purchasing fine art (e.g. cost, lack of knowledge about art collecting, etc.), the "mass decorating" trend is more puzzling at the corporate level. Corporations that routinely spend over $1,000 apiece for Herman Miller office chairs look ridiculous decorating their lobbies and offices with cheap posters and prints.

Things are a bit different in Europe, where institutional buyers understand the value of purchasing and displaying fine art on their walls. Banks and other businesses consider fine art an investment that appreciates over time. They take pride in exhibiting original artwork and are keenly aware of the fact that originals have a depth and texture that cannot be duplicated by facsimiles.

Displaying fine art in a corporate setting allows businesses to connect with employees, customers, and partners at an emotional level. When selected with care, a work of art expresses—in an authentic voice—the organization's most deeply held values and can have a profound impact on those who identify with it. Viewing original art can inspire creativity and improve productivity. Certain colors are soothing, others invigorating.

The ability of our physical surroundings to influence our physical and emotional wellbeing is the foundation of art therapy. Hospital administrators have slowly begun to realize that soul-crushing, "battleship gray" institutions do little to enhance wellness. It is not surprising that medical facilities, like the Dell Children's Medical Center in Austin, have begun to incorporate colorful displays of fine art throughout patient facilities as a way to speed recovery and improve clinical outcomes.

At a time where many businesses are taking part in the green movement, it is worthy to note that purchasing original fine art is also a more environmentally sound decision. Fine art retains its value and is something we don't mindlessly dispose of it, while framed "nothings" are making their way to the land fields daily. Fine art lasts a lifetime, and collectors can develop great emotional attachment to their pieces, especially if they have an entertaining or intriguing back story. Over time, I've learned to allocate the majority of my home improvement budget to things that breathe life into my home and objects that have character—like books, paintings, music, or fine art photography.

Art can do wonders for your place of business. Thoughtfully selected, it can be the one thing that brings everything together and adds perfect harmony to your surroundings. Some buy art solely for its investment value or as a way to show their status and sophistication, but for most art collectors purchasing fine art is an addiction from which they don't seek a cure.