Small Tray Tables
2010s Polish Tray Tables
Marble
Antique Late 19th Century Swedish Tray Tables
Metal
20th Century Italian Tray Tables
Walnut
2010s Tray Tables
Leather
2010s Italian Tray Tables
Leather, Wenge
2010s Italian Tray Tables
Leather, Walnut
2010s Italian Tray Tables
Leather
2010s Italian Tray Tables
Leather
Vintage 1960s German Tray Tables
Brass
2010s Polish Tray Tables
Marble
Early 20th Century French Tray Tables
Marble, Brass
Vintage 1960s Italian Tray Tables
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Tray Tables
Stainless Steel
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Tray Tables
Steel
Antique 1890s Japanese Meiji Tray Tables
Teak
Antique 1860s Victorian Tray Tables
Mahogany
2010s Italian Modern Tray Tables
Marble
2010s Portuguese Organic Modern Tray Tables
Walnut, Wood
1990s American Tray Tables
Faux Bamboo, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Modern Tray Tables
Steel
2010s Italian Tray Tables
Metal
Antique Late 19th Century English Arts and Crafts Tray Tables
Copper
Antique Early 1900s French Art Nouveau Tray Tables
Rosewood
Antique 1890s English Edwardian Tray Tables
Satinwood, Mahogany
Antique 1890s English Edwardian Tray Tables
Mahogany, Satinwood
2010s Italian Tray Tables
Travertine
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Metal, Chrome
Antique 19th Century Art Nouveau Tray Tables
Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Tray Tables
Copper
Antique Mid-19th Century French Tray Tables
Brass
Mid-20th Century American Victorian Tray Tables
Metal
Mid-20th Century Hong Kong Chinoiserie Tray Tables
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Tray Tables
Copper
Mid-20th Century Italian Art Deco Tray Tables
Metal
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Tray Tables
Brass
Vintage 1970s Italian Minimalist Tray Tables
Plastic
2010s Italian Modern Tray Tables
Marble
Late 20th Century Italian Space Age Tray Tables
Plastic
2010s Italian Modern Tray Tables
Marble
Vintage 1960s Japanese Tray Tables
Resin
Antique 1850s English Early Victorian Tray Tables
Fruitwood, Lacquer, Paper
Vintage 1960s Italian Tray Tables
Aluminum
2010s Italian Tray Tables
Murano Glass
2010s Belgian Post-Modern Tray Tables
Ash
Vintage 1970s Japanese Tray Tables
Plastic
Mid-20th Century Thai Country Tray Tables
Rattan
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Silver
2010s Belgian Post-Modern Tray Tables
Ash
Vintage 1950s European Tray Tables
Teak
Vintage 1950s Italian Tray Tables
Formica, Beech
20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Tray Tables
Teak
Vintage 1940s Italian Tray Tables
Brass
2010s Italian Modern Tray Tables
Mother-of-Pearl, Ebony
Antique Early 19th Century English Tray Tables
Wood, Paper
Antique 19th Century English Tray Tables
Metal
2010s Portuguese Organic Modern Tray Tables
Wood, Walnut
2010s Portuguese Organic Modern Tray Tables
Wood, Walnut
Antique Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Tray Tables
Rosewood, Lacquer
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Tray Tables
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Tray Tables
Metal
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Small Tray Tables For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much are Small Tray Tables?
Finding the Right Tray Tables for You
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.
- What is a butler’s tray table?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022A butler's tray table is an accent table typically used for serving. It includes a removable tray top that can transport food and drinks from room to room. Normally, the base features folding criss-crossing legs. Shop a range of butler's tray tables on 1stDibs.
- What is a small table called?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 22, 2024What a small table is called depends largely on where it's located. A small table placed beside a bed is a bedside table or a nightstand. Small tables in seating areas positioned between sofas, loveseats and accent chairs are end tables or side tables. Shop a wide range of tables on 1stDibs.
- What is a tray top coffee table?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertOctober 26, 2021Tray top coffee tables are coffee tables with long, flat rectangular surfaces that are supported by an x-frame base. Low tables that were initially used as tea or coffee tables have been around since at least the mid- to late-1800s. After coffee drinking and “coffee breaks” became popular, it didn’t take long for coffee and cocktail tables to become a design staple and for consumers to recognize their role in entertaining no matter what beverages were being served. Shop a collection of antique, vintage, and contemporary tray top coffee tables from some of the world’s top dealers on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertOctober 12, 2021A small dining table is also called a dinette. A table and two to four seats are frequently included. Designed for small spaces, dinettes are most often used in kitchens and breakfast nooks. On 1stDibs, find a variety of vintage and antique dinettes.
- 1stDibs ExpertAugust 17, 2021The small table next to a bed is called either a nightstand or bedside table. These tables serve as storage as well as a surface for important bedside items, such as your book, your phone or a small pitcher of water. Shop antique, vintage and modern bedside tables on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertOctober 12, 2021The small table next to the bed is called a nightstand or bedside table. These tables usually have a bedside lamp which is useful for reading. Modern nightstands are small tables with one or two drawers. It’s a space to hold a lamp, your book, your phone, a flashlight and more. On 1stDibs, shop vintage and antique bedside tables.
- 1stDibs ExpertAugust 17, 2021The best shape table for a small space is a square shaped table. Because they can have multiple functions and easily push into the corner of the room, they are said to better as they'll take up less space in a dining room or kitchen. Find a range of tables today on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertMarch 3, 2023Whether a glass table is better for small spaces is largely a matter of personal opinion. However, many people find that a transparent glass table creates the illusion of a larger room and makes a compact area feel more spacious. Shop a variety of glass tables on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 13, 2023Whether a round dining table is better in a small space is largely a matter of personal preference. Working with a tighter space may mean that a round or oval dining room table, a design that references the festive meals of the medieval era, may be a better fit. Round dining room tables, particularly those that originated in the Art Deco period, still endure as a popular contemporary substitute for traditional rectangular dining tables. Both round and oval tables take up less space than rectangular and square tables of similar size because they lack corners. Find a variety of round tables on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertOctober 12, 2021The best shape for a table in a small dining room can be a round table. A round table works well in small rooms and smaller square-shaped rooms. It creates a cozy setting, so it is the best shape for a small group of people. Visually, it seems to occupy less space than a rectangle because of the rounded corners, and this also means that it has less surface area. On 1stDibs, find a variety of antique and vintage round dining tables.
- 1stDibs ExpertJune 15, 2023Whether a coffee table makes a small living room look smaller or larger depends on the design. Tables with glass or open, airy designs can create the illusion of a larger space. Round and oval tables can also increase the feeling of openness in a room. On 1stDibs, shop a variety of coffee tables.
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