Tray Tables
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Lucite
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Murano Glass
2010s Tray Tables
Leather
1950s Italian Vintage Tray Tables
Metal
20th Century Tray Tables
Laminate, Wood
2010s Italian Modern Tray Tables
Leather, Wood
2010s Italian Tray Tables
Leather
2010s Italian Tray Tables
Leather
1950s British Regency Vintage Tray Tables
Wood
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Wood
Early 1900s English Arts and Crafts Antique Tray Tables
Brass
Early 1900s English Arts and Crafts Antique Tray Tables
Copper
Early 1900s English Arts and Crafts Antique Tray Tables
Pewter
1990s Indonesian Organic Modern Tray Tables
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Guatemalan Modern Tray Tables
Wood
1960s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Brass
2010s Indian Tray Tables
Ironstone
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Plastic
2010s Indian Tray Tables
Ironstone
1970s Japanese Vintage Tray Tables
Plastic
1960s Japanese Vintage Tray Tables
Resin
Early 20th Century French Art Nouveau Tray Tables
Glass, Walnut, Fabric
1960s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Metal, Chrome
1890s English Antique Tray Tables
Tin
2010s European Minimalist Tray Tables
Marble
Late 19th Century English Antique Tray Tables
Bronze
Late 19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Tray Tables
Metal, Tôle
1830s Regency Antique Tray Tables
Walnut
2010s Danish Scandinavian Modern Tray Tables
Stainless Steel
1970s Chinese Hollywood Regency Vintage Tray Tables
Wicker
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Wood
Mid-20th Century American American Colonial Tray Tables
Maple, Paint
1970s Vintage Tray Tables
Brass
1990s Folk Art Tray Tables
Cedar
20th Century Asian Moorish Tray Tables
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary French Art Deco Tray Tables
Brass
19th Century Victorian Antique Tray Tables
Wood
2010s Polish Tray Tables
Marble
1920s Chinoiserie Vintage Tray Tables
Lacquer
1950s Italian Vintage Tray Tables
Formica, Beech
2010s Polish Tray Tables
Marble
20th Century Italian Tray Tables
Metal
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Crystal, Brass
2010s Belgian Post-Modern Tray Tables
Ash
Early 20th Century Czech Art Deco Tray Tables
Chrome
1960s Italian Neoclassical Vintage Tray Tables
Metal
20th Century British Tray Tables
Faux Bamboo
1960s Italian Vintage Tray Tables
Brass
1980s Chippendale Vintage Tray Tables
Leather, Wood
1960s German Vintage Tray Tables
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Guatemalan Modern Tray Tables
Wood
2010s Danish Post-Modern Tray Tables
Crystal
1890s Japanese Meiji Antique Tray Tables
Teak
1970s Dutch Space Age Vintage Tray Tables
Plastic
1930s Vintage Tray Tables
Metal
1890s English Antique Tray Tables
Tin
2010s Danish Post-Modern Tray Tables
Crystal
2010s Italian Modern Tray Tables
Leather, Wood
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.