The chest seams too low. I think you need to bring the chest up in height and new hardware would do wonders. Think about adding gold legs and ring pulls and adding a tassel

Then Get a buffet lamp that is thinner in the body. I like the idea of a lamp but yours is too large around. Beef up the tray and get a rectangular one, Crystal decanters......you can find tons at resale places. Beautiful ones. Crystal low ball glasses as well. Lose the pitcher and instead find a ginger jar you can put a more rounded floral arrangement in.

As far as why your chest doesn't look like the inspiration photo its because that photo has been styled. The picture is taken at a different angle and close up. The lighting is different. There are more bottles of liquor on display and all the items are pulled in and closer together. The chest is sitting against a mirrored wall reflecting everything on the other side of the space which makes the picture more visually busy and full as well, Last it was staged for the photo by someone who got paid $900-1500 to make it just right. This includes making sure every angle speaks to the camera and not real life!

What about a mirror that sits on the back of the table? https://www.wayfair.com/decor-pillows/pdp/ophelia-co-romain-cottage-accent-mirror-w000635134.html

Do you drink wine? Run vertical wine racks up the wall behind the dresser. (I've not read all the comments so sorry if this has already been discussed.)

I would also:

Put a rectangular miirror the exact same width at the dresser directly behind the dresser, at that level, and then put the vertical wine rack above the mirror.

Get a tray that is approximately the same size as the dresser top.

Replace the lamp with a shorter lamp, or no lamp at all.

Change the drawer pulls to something less old fashioned that suits your decor and taste.

I might go with something like this for wine racks

Wood and Metal Wall Mount Wine Rack, 4 Bottle · More Info

This lamp isn't perfect but maybe something like it (again, with a mirror behind it)

Cyan Design Patrice Table Lamp · More Info

or ha ha!

Industrial Style Table Lamp · More Info

Have fun!

Here's one other idea:

Take out the drawers and create wine racks in the empty drawer spaces. You can just take out the top drawers, or maybe the middle or lower drawers. If the dresser is not an heirloom, you could get a carpenter to cut circular holes in the drawer fronts.

If you think that would be fun, then I would put a mirror and glass shelving over the dresser and use it to display drinks glasses.

PS: I just found this with a google search for "using a dresser as a wine rack". You can find similar pictures that way

I think if you used a larger tray to ‘capture’ all the bottles it would look more... organized. Maybe no flowers as others note.

I think it needs a makeover paint example would be navy lacquer new brass hardware & I would remove the large lamp for something smaller & vase to make it a little roomier to mix your drinks.

Pop of color to make it stand out and if you have brass fixtures in the room I would go with brass hardware of your choice. It is amazing what changing the hardware can make a difference. Have a cocktail and enjoy!

A tray that is shiny and/or mirrored. Check out Z Gallerie. They have great barware. A mirror instead of the picture on the wall. No flowers.

I think that's a great idea and I love the inspiration pic! Compared to your inspiration pic, yours is very wood-heavy - I say this as someone who has a wood heavy-house, it can be a challenge. Darker wood with black hardware and heavy wood to the right.

The inspiration pic has a mix of lighter woods and lighter colors. Also, in the inspiration pic, the background is a mirror which is reflecting the lighter surroundings. Finally, the lamp and artwork in your room are interfering with each other - the lamp is the star in the inspiration pic. The lamp in your room has its shade lining up with the bottom of the artwork and creating a heavy mass above your dresser that is stealing the show.

I think the biggest change you could make is to replace the artwork with a large beautiful mirror, one with no to little metallic frame, hung at an appropriate height - think context and setting rather than focal point. Google it to find the right height - your artwork is too high and doesn't relate to the dresser.

After you do that, then I think you'll be able to make minor adjustments to improve, such as trays, hardware, lamp, etc. One more thing - your lamp shade is not the same - it's a much brighter white, and drum as opposed to empire. I think this matters too.

Hang a large framed mirror behind the bar instead of a painting. Art should be hung at eye level and the dresser seems low so it is difficult to lower the painting and make it seem right. You need a much larger tray to accommodate the bottles and a skinnier lamp so that the dresser top is more balanced and the lamp does not overwhelm the space. I agree with the others who commented on adding a mix of decanters, bottles and maybe a couple of glasses. You’re almost there, just a bit of tweaking.

I think the lamp and picture, both attractive, are fighting each other because the lampshade obstructs too much of the picture, and also that the lamp plus vase visually outweigh the bottles. Also a small pop of color wd be welcome. ideally I'd have a mirror rather than the pic, and a tall skinny buffet lamp with much smaller shade -- but maybe you could just replace the shade on this particular lamp to get a similar effect. If you put a shallow glass shelf on the wall under the mirror, you cd keep the bottles there -- raising them up will make the point more obvious, and maximise space below. For color, I'd use a runner to pretty much cover the top of the chest, rather than painting it (which you cd regret later). Optionally, have a glass top cut to cover the runner. Then a tray about half the size of the top of chest (consider brass to pick up yr newly polished brass pulls), with a few of your prettiest glasses, and a small stack of cocktail napkins.

Wow, you have quite a variety of different ideas here to choose from -- have fun!

PS -- DON'T lose the original brass pulls!!!

I didn't read all of the discussion threads, so maybe you already have your answer. I would add a stone top, preferably marble, to protect it. A good stone resource can make a top to fit right over the existing top. I would also lower the artwork behind it. The lamp seems to be out of proportion. Something slimmer would likely work better. And I agree with a previous post - don't remove the original pulls. Keep the integrity of the piece. Good luck!

Really like the idea of a stone top for your cabinet IF, of course, you can find a stone you particularly like; however, if stone is not your style, a thick glass top would protect the top of your cabinet if you don't want stone. If there is damage on the top you don't want to repair but want to hide, dark tinted glass would serve the purpose. If you can get the edges beveled, all the better.

If you haven't already replaced the hardware on the cabinet, what you might consider doing is taking off the two drawer pulls from the top two drawers and put one of them on the bottom drawer to replace the broken pull. Save the other top drawer pull as a spare. Then replace only the top two pulls not even trying to match the bottom four -- perhaps even consider wood pulls for those top two drawers.

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/263390278179310754/

any feeling for defining the space with a floor cloth?

I'd look for one that was reminiscent of the flooring in a Parisian bar

have a piece of glass cut with finished edge for entire top to make it "spill friendly", remove vase with flowers, smaller lamp, tray for bottles, small cutting board for slicing lemons, limes, etc., hang picture lower

I like the idea of a classic metal and mirrored bar tray with a lip and handles.

If you are going to keep the brass pulls on the dresser, I would consider a lamp like one of these

Metal 28" Dome Shade Table Lamp w/Marble Base, Gold · More Info

Nuru, Table Lamp, 03-00817 Table Lamp · More Info

Having a home bar says glam and sparkly to me, 20th cent. retro, rather than cottage or traditional or organic.

The lamp is too large and the tray too small. A taller lamp with a smaller base and shade will add light without eating up counter space. The tray is holding only two bottles and making the surface look cluttered. Either find a tray large enough to hold all your bottles and perhaps a slimmer vase with a few simple green leaves or a single flower or, as others have suggested, a single slab of stone or one huge tray covering the entire dresser top will protect the surface and add cohesion to the arrangement. The art is neither here not there in the composition. I would look for a piece of art or a mirror that is about the same width as the dresser and about two-thirds as tall and hang it so that the bottom of the piece is about the height of two bottles above the surface of the dresser. This gives both the hanging piece and the tabletop arrangement room to visually breathe. Bless you for paying attention to a small space like this. I love vignettes!

I don't think you need to make major changes, you are almost there. I would change out the lampshade for something with a slightly smaller diameter and move it a few inches toward the edge of the dresser. Then you will see more of the artwork above, and it will make space for a larger tray with a nicely defined metallic edge. The bottles can all be placed on top of the tray along with some useful glassware. Adding glassware is less expensive than adding more liqueur you might not drink, and there is no point faking it with imitations. You'll note that in your inspiration photo the bottles are layered overlapping, no visual space between. I would go with a cut glass or crystal vase for pitcher for the flowers and a slightly sparer bouquet so it has a more graphic quality. The tray you already have can lean on the wall on its side behind the bottles. If keeping the green bottle is a must, put it on the opposite side of the bottle arrangement from the flowers, as the green colour is unevenly weighted to one side.

I had a similar dresser and was ready to give it away, but then decided to change the color. I bought MinWax PolyShades in Classic Black Satin and restained it with that. It looks fabulous. It's not really black, it's a very dark brown, and the grain shows through. It's a one step easy process. I sprayed the hardware silver. Looks quite pottery barn now!

The picture on the wall behind is too large and is being obscured by the lamp shade. Two smaller ones to the right of a lampshade would be more effective after you lose the vase and flowers. A nice tray would be a great touch also.

To change the look of the dresser, as others have said you can paint, you can also change out the drawer pulls to something more modern.

I'd clean up the space, and add drama and function. I'd put a black granite top on the dresser, add shelves with pretty barware on the wall, change the lamp to a much narrower scale, add a beautiful cut glass ice bucket, and change the flowers to a small "rose bowl" kind of arrangement, grouping these elements on one side in a tiered arrangement. Bring out bottles as indicated and when indicated. More open surface area allows space to prepare a beverage. No tray, no porcelain - just black granite, beautiful cut glass barware, rich warm wood, and a small bouquet of fresh flowers. Stunning and simple.

I like where you are heading here. If you want to keep the lamp, perhaps move it over a bit, add the larger tray as others have suggested etc. The thing I might add is some fun tassels to the drawer handles. You could go with a bling tassel, or a more traditional. You could even change out the colors for the season. Nothing big, just a small pop.

Putting all the alcohol on a single tray would make a big difference .

One big tray and a picture light (or electric candles, as shown in this photo), plus a bit of crystal or glass containers and a touch of whimsy gives you a beautiful bar!

(This photo is skewed oddly, but see what I mean?):

Think "UNITY": A large serving tray with room for your liquor, water, ice, etc. Perhaps add another tray on the side for glasses and such.

A picture light (battery operated or electric) above your artwork could could shine down on your bar, gently illuminating the scene.

Cheers!!!

Lesliefromla, I love this! How did you do this?
Did you do a copy paste? One big tray! Boom. Decided. Also like perhaps another tray on the side for glasses. And like picture light.

What is over that dresser bar in picture?

If you want to raise the height of the cabinet, then consider adding wheels instead of legs.

You could then complete your bar cart by adding either a black handle made with metal plumbing pipes, elbows and scutcheons

https://www.guidepatterns.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Bar-Cart-Handle.jpg

or a stainless steel or brass towel holder

https://www.amazon.com/KES-Bathroom-Stainless-RUSTPROOF-A2000S40DG-BZ/dp/B082YVXT45

By adding wainscoting or something similar to the back, you could have a cart you could move about and park anywhere.

Stacey, please post what you finally came up with. I would love to see it.

I agree with the person that said to mirror the entire top, or at least have a piece of glass cut to size. If you don't like that idea, purchase a much larger tray that will hold all the bottles, and still allow room for an ice bucket and a place to set glasses while mixing. Remove the two top drawers and replace with an interior shelf for glassware and other supplies. Use a decorative box to store cocktail napkins. A brass floor lamp would look nice beside the dresser to replace any table top lighting (Example). If you want flowers, use a low profile vase, and use only one type of flower with some greenery to provide a visual respite from all the business of the bottles.

Hi there,
When I first saw your photo, 4 things immediately popped out to get sorted.

First, I would recommend following Beth's suggestion to shine the handles.

Then I would follow decoenthusiaste's suggestion to fix the drawer stoppers.

Next is to sort the gap between the dresser and the picture.
Some options to get that sorted are either adding legs to the dresser, lowering the picture or adding a spacer on the counter. I'm partial to adding legs. In your case, brass.

Finally, the floral arrangement could use some help. The flowers are cut to sit in the vase squarely, but that arrangement isn't the most flattering. Rather than forming a square, think of a diamond. Like your inspiration picture.

Also keep in mind that the colours of the flowers are important. In your inspiration picture, the peach/pink works just fine. In your situation, I'm afraid the pink chosen clashes a bit with your beautiful gold-toned colours. If possible, perhaps you could try flowers with colours that are more harmonious with your colour scheme.

While I agree with others that a larger and more attention-grabbing tray would greatly improve the set up, I'll have to go against the stream and comment that I like the lamp. Although ...the alignment with the picture behind it is a bit off. Lovely little brass legs added to the dresser would sort that out :)

Hoping you find the solution that works best for you,
Alicia

The water pitcher full of roses is adding to the grandma’s house look. My suggestion would be leave the wood finish and place a modern looking highly lacquered tray on top to house your liquor. Also I would go on Craig’s list and purchase some retro highball glasses.

What is the vibe of your home? When you have that answer, then you could figure out how you want to style, redo and/or change the dresser to make sure it does not compete or fight with the style of your home.

Cythnia, My home is more traditional but I wanted to mix a little modern with traditional.Maybe going towards the traditional is really my style.
Ruth, I am looking for a tray now. I like the retro highball glasses idea.

Try a larger, mirrored (or shinier) tray to add some sparkle, lower the artwork and change out the hardware to something more glam. Have fun!

Large silver tray and crystal.

Smaller silver lamp, complimenting tray and picture frame

it is missing SPARKLE!!! You need some crystal

Hi Stacey look on eBay for retro bare ware. IKEA also sells ‘retro’ bar ware.

keep the lamp but change the colour of furniture into a soft grey.

My, you’re getting so many great suggestions! I’d love to see the end result :)

Yes. Everyone has been so helpful! I really appreciate it. I am shopping for different items now. I will post pictures!

That is too expensive you need to put that back

Please put that bag that is too expensive you are not getting your moneys worth

Lamp may be to cumbersome. I would put a wall light over the bar area, tray with glasses and Ice bucket. (your drinks of course)

I agree- the lamp is too large. I also think the bar needs some interesting glassware. If your home is contemporary- sleek pulls on the drawers. Also- you might want to put a more colorful painting on the wall.

No

A large rectangular silver-finish or white-finish tray can hold all the bottles and a few glasses, and maybe even a small ice bucket.

Dont you usually want a bar to be the right height to use it standing up?...and shouldn’t the grouping coordinate better? Chest and art or mirror that are both antique?...as well as tray should be vintage...even the glass ware should be sort of elegant to fit with the theme..in concept a chest with drawers sort of looks wrong for a bar..so i would reinforce that look by creating a matching vignette feel...

So I just bought this exact dresser to use as a vanity for my bathroom. Do you have any info of what year or maker for it?