Tray Tables
1970s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Rosewood
20th Century Italian French Provincial Tray Tables
Metal
20th Century American Modern Tray Tables
Wood
20th Century Art Deco Tray Tables
Chrome
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Crystal
Late 19th Century Aesthetic Movement Antique Tray Tables
Metal
Early 20th Century European Edwardian Tray Tables
Burlap, Oak
Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Tray Tables
Oak, Teak
Mid-20th Century Dutch Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Metal, Chrome
1950s English Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Hardwood
Mid-19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Tray Tables
Metal, Brass, Bronze
Mid-20th Century English Victorian Tray Tables
Brass
1970s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Brass
Late 20th Century Campaign Tray Tables
Mahogany
2010s Italian Tray Tables
Wood
1880s Burmese Late Victorian Antique Tray Tables
Brass
Early 19th Century French Empire Antique Tray Tables
Mahogany
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Mahogany
Early 1900s Burmese Art Deco Antique Tray Tables
Brass
2010s Danish Post-Modern Tray Tables
Crystal
21st Century and Contemporary Brazilian Modern Tray Tables
Leather
Late 20th Century Organic Modern Tray Tables
Rattan, Reed, Grasscloth
21st Century and Contemporary Brazilian Organic Modern Tray Tables
Hardwood
Early 1900s Antique Tray Tables
Silver Plate
20th Century English Art Deco Tray Tables
Oak
1940s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Birch
20th Century Asian Moorish Tray Tables
Brass
19th Century English Edwardian Antique Tray Tables
Faux Bamboo, Wood
1880s English High Victorian Antique Tray Tables
Brass
1930s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Brass
Early 1900s Moroccan Late Victorian Antique Tray Tables
Brass
Early 1900s Moroccan Late Victorian Antique Tray Tables
Brass
Early 1900s Moroccan Late Victorian Antique Tray Tables
Brass
19th Century French Antique Tray Tables
Bronze
1940s Italian Vintage Tray Tables
Glass, Wood
Late 19th Century English Victorian Antique Tray Tables
Softwood, Paper
19th Century British Antique Tray Tables
Linen, Wood, Mahogany
Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Brass
1960s Vintage Tray Tables
Brass
1930s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Canvas, Ash
Mid-20th Century Swedish Industrial Tray Tables
Steel
1960s Vintage Tray Tables
Brass
1960s Vintage Tray Tables
Hardwood
1940s Vintage Tray Tables
Glass
2010s Tray Tables
Leather
1980s French Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Brass
19th Century Antique Tray Tables
Wood
Mid-20th Century French Colonial Revival Tray Tables
Wicker, Wood, Rattan, Cane
20th Century Chinoiserie Tray Tables
Wood
19th Century British Antique Tray Tables
Mahogany
21st Century and Contemporary Guatemalan Modern Tray Tables
Wood
Early 20th Century French Art Nouveau Tray Tables
Glass, Walnut, Fabric
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Tray Tables
Marble, Stainless Steel
20th Century French Industrial Tray Tables
Metal
Late 19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Tray Tables
Metal, Tôle
1960s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Metal, Chrome
1930s American Art Deco Vintage Tray Tables
Mirror
1830s Regency Antique Tray Tables
Walnut
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.