Tray Tables
20th Century English Tray Tables
Wood
1880s English High Victorian Antique Tray Tables
Brass
1920s Thai Dutch Colonial Vintage Tray Tables
Wood, Glass
21st Century and Contemporary French Art Deco Tray Tables
Brass
2010s American Tray Tables
Bronze, Steel
Early 2000s Italian Tray Tables
Plastic
Late 19th Century French Art Nouveau Antique Tray Tables
Oak
Early 20th Century French Louis XVI Tray Tables
Brass
Late 20th Century Italian Hollywood Regency Tray Tables
Brass
1950s British Georgian Vintage Tray Tables
Wood
Early 1900s Italian Art Nouveau Antique Tray Tables
Brass
20th Century European Tray Tables
Glass, Fruitwood
1950s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Brass
Early 1900s Burmese Art Deco Antique Tray Tables
Brass
Late 19th Century French Japonisme Antique Tray Tables
Bamboo, Lacquer
20th Century English Tray Tables
Metal
Late 20th Century Tray Tables
Straw, Wood
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Formica, Mahogany
Late 19th Century American Antique Tray Tables
Mahogany
Mid-19th Century English Georgian Antique Tray Tables
Mahogany, Oak
2010s Danish Post-Modern Tray Tables
Crystal
Early 20th Century English Edwardian Tray Tables
Other
1970s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Brass
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Wood
Late 19th Century French Antique Tray Tables
Metal
Mid-20th Century European Georgian Tray Tables
Mahogany, Plywood
1970s Italian Minimalist Vintage Tray Tables
Plastic
Late 20th Century Organic Modern Tray Tables
Rattan, Reed, Grasscloth
20th Century English Art Deco Tray Tables
Oak
Early 1900s Antique Tray Tables
Silver Plate
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Metal, Chrome
1940s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Birch
20th Century Italian Tray Tables
Walnut
Early 19th Century English Regency Antique Tray Tables
Mahogany
19th Century English Edwardian Antique Tray Tables
Faux Bamboo, Wood
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Faux Bamboo
21st Century and Contemporary Brazilian Organic Modern Tray Tables
Hardwood
1880s Other Antique Tray Tables
Ormolu
20th Century British Chippendale Tray Tables
Wood, Paint
20th Century German Tray Tables
Wood
Late 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Tray Tables
Wood, Paint
1950s Argentine Vintage Tray Tables
Bronze
Late 20th Century Hollywood Regency Tray Tables
Bamboo, Wood
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Steel
1930s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Brass
20th Century Asian Moorish Tray Tables
Brass
Early 1900s Moroccan Late Victorian Antique Tray Tables
Brass
1970s French Vintage Tray Tables
Brass
1970s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Brass
1860s Victorian Antique Tray Tables
Mahogany
1980s Italian Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Brass
Early 1900s Moroccan Late Victorian Antique Tray Tables
Brass
Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Brass
1960s Danish Vintage Tray Tables
Wood
19th Century British Late Victorian Antique Tray Tables
Mahogany
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Tray Tables
Chrome
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Tray Tables
Chrome
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Tray Tables
Chrome
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.