Tray Tables
1970s Italian Hollywood Regency Vintage Tray Tables
Brass
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Chrome
Late 19th Century Swedish Rustic Antique Tray Tables
Pine
1770s Swedish Rococo Antique Tray Tables
Wood, Faience
Late 19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Tray Tables
Metal, Tôle
1770s Swedish Rococo Antique Tray Tables
Pine
1890s Antique Tray Tables
Brass
Late 19th Century English Antique Tray Tables
Bronze
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Wood
Late 19th Century English Arts and Crafts Antique Tray Tables
Copper
Mid-20th Century American American Colonial Tray Tables
Maple, Paint
2010s Portuguese Organic Modern Tray Tables
Wood, Walnut
Early 20th Century German Arts and Crafts Tray Tables
Metal, Brass, Copper, Wrought Iron
Early 1900s Japanese Japonisme Antique Tray Tables
Bamboo, Lacquer
20th Century German Tray Tables
Wood
20th Century French Art Nouveau Tray Tables
Scagliola, Wood
1830s Regency Antique Tray Tables
Walnut
1970s Chinese Hollywood Regency Vintage Tray Tables
Wicker
20th Century French Industrial Tray Tables
Metal
2010s Danish Post-Modern Tray Tables
Crystal
19th Century Victorian Antique Tray Tables
Wood
2010s Italian Modern Tray Tables
Iron
2010s Danish Scandinavian Modern Tray Tables
Stainless Steel
1990s Folk Art Tray Tables
Cedar
Late 19th Century Asian Chinoiserie Antique Tray Tables
Wood
Mid-20th Century Hong Kong Chinoiserie Tray Tables
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary French Art Deco Tray Tables
Brass
1880s Sheraton Antique Tray Tables
Walnut
1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Teak
1880s English Late Victorian Antique Tray Tables
Hardwood, Walnut
1920s Chinoiserie Vintage Tray Tables
Lacquer
Late 19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Tray Tables
Tôle
2010s Danish Scandinavian Modern Tray Tables
Stainless Steel
20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Tray Tables
Teak
1920s Vintage Tray Tables
Pewter
1950s Italian Vintage Tray Tables
Formica, Beech
20th Century Egyptian Egyptian Tray Tables
Brass
Early 1900s French Art Nouveau Antique Tray Tables
Fruitwood, Walnut
Late 20th Century Tray Tables
Metal
Early 20th Century Moroccan Islamic Tray Tables
Brass
Late 19th Century English Late Victorian Antique Tray Tables
Mother-of-Pearl, Wood, Paper
19th Century Antique Tray Tables
Metal
20th Century English Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Brass
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Rattan
19th Century English Victorian Antique Tray Tables
Faux Bamboo, Lacquer, Paper
19th Century Persian Islamic Antique Tray Tables
Brass
1950s Italian Vintage Tray Tables
Metal
20th Century Italian Tray Tables
Metal
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Crystal, Brass
Late 20th Century Indian Agra Tray Tables
Marble
1920s Japanese Taisho Vintage Tray Tables
Lacquer
2010s Belgian Post-Modern Tray Tables
Ash
21st Century and Contemporary French Art Deco Tray Tables
Brass
1850s English Early Victorian Antique Tray Tables
Fruitwood, Lacquer, Paper
Late 19th Century Chinese Qing Antique Tray Tables
Wood, Lacquer
Late 20th Century British Art Deco Tray Tables
Walnut, Burl
20th Century English Arts and Crafts Tray Tables
Early 1900s French Art Nouveau Antique Tray Tables
Mahogany
Antique and Vintage Tray Tables
The popularity of antique and vintage tray tables owes mostly to the 1950s, when the first TV dinners made their way into the freezers of American kitchens.
At a time when televisions were increasingly becoming fixtures in the living rooms of most homes in the United States, the tray table was impossibly convenient. With a deft merging of function and style, the table, positioned in front of your sofa or plush armchair, was a place to rest your Swanson-brand TV dinner, a compartmentalized supper issued on a disposable tray that required minimal preparation. The technological advances of the mid-century kitchen included programmable ovens, so TV dinners were quick and easy, particularly when home-cooked meals were out of the question.
When one had finished the last bite of this square meal, which was packed into sections that assumed various geometric shapes in their own partitioned aluminum tray, the tray table could be easily folded up and tucked away until needed again.
Eventually, designers took to exploring iterations of the widely loved tray table that would better suit household needs. Once a simple, foldable furnishing that was confined to use at mealtime, tray tables are now somewhat of a budget-friendly design staple for many households. Today, tray tables are as versatile as ever, and such a wide range has been manufactured over the years that you’re likely to find a good fit no matter what your furniture style preferences might be.
Tray tables are used as side tables, nightstands, a bar tray when your space won’t accommodate that handsome vintage bar cart you’ve been looking for and desks, particularly as many of us are working from home and especially when a modest-sized apartment won’t allow for larger tables.
Tray tables vary in style, shape and size. When looking for a tray table, you should measure accordingly and ensure that wherever it will land in your space there will be room around the table to allow for easy movement.
On 1stDibs, find a collection of antique and vintage tray tables that includes mid-century modern tray tables, Art Deco versions and more.