Tray Tables
Mid-18th Century Italian Baroque Antique Tray Tables
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Brazilian Modern Tray Tables
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary Philippine Art Deco Tray Tables
Brass
2010s Italian Modern Tray Tables
Iron
19th Century English Sheraton Antique Tray Tables
Brass
2010s Italian Modern Tray Tables
Iron
2010s Italian Modern Tray Tables
Iron
2010s Italian Modern Tray Tables
Iron
2010s Danish Post-Modern Tray Tables
Crystal
2010s Danish Post-Modern Tray Tables
Crystal
21st Century and Contemporary Indonesian Modern Tray Tables
Bronze
21st Century and Contemporary Indonesian Modern Tray Tables
Bronze
2010s Italian Modern Tray Tables
Iron
2010s Italian Tray Tables
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary Philippine Art Deco Tray Tables
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Philippine Art Deco Tray Tables
Wood, Shagreen Stingray
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Alabaster
1930s Vintage Tray Tables
Bamboo, Wicker
2010s Italian Tray Tables
Leather
Mid-20th Century Campaign Tray Tables
Pine
2010s European Minimalist Tray Tables
Concrete
Late 20th Century Edwardian Tray Tables
Paint, Hardwood
1960s Italian Neoclassical Vintage Tray Tables
Metal
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Philippine Art Deco Tray Tables
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Philippine Art Deco Tray Tables
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Philippine Art Deco Tray Tables
Brass
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Philippine Art Deco Tray Tables
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Philippine Art Deco Tray Tables
Brass
Late 20th Century Italian Space Age Tray Tables
Plastic
1880s Victorian Antique Tray Tables
Lacquer
21st Century and Contemporary Philippine Art Deco Tray Tables
Brass
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Brass
1970s Vintage Tray Tables
Brass
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Rosewood
20th Century Tray Tables
Bamboo
2010s Italian Minimalist Tray Tables
Travertine
1980s Italian Vintage Tray Tables
Leather
2010s Italian Tray Tables
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary Philippine Art Deco Tray Tables
Brass
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Brass
Mid-20th Century North American Hollywood Regency Tray Tables
Wrought Iron
1970s French Vintage Tray Tables
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Philippine Art Deco Tray Tables
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Philippine Art Deco Tray Tables
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Philippine Art Deco Tray Tables
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Philippine Art Deco Tray Tables
Brass
2010s European Minimalist Tray Tables
Marble
1930s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Birch
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Tray Tables
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Tray Tables
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Philippine Art Deco Tray Tables
Brass
Early 20th Century French Tray Tables
Marble, Brass
2010s Italian Tray Tables
Leather, Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary Philippine Art Deco Tray Tables
Brass
1920s Thai Dutch Colonial Vintage Tray Tables
Wood, Glass
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Brass
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.