Tray Tables
1960s Vintage Tray Tables
Brass
1970s Dutch Space Age Vintage Tray Tables
Plastic
20th Century English Tray Tables
Bamboo, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Tray Tables
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Tray Tables
Metal
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Brass
1940s American Queen Anne Vintage Tray Tables
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Tray Tables
Stainless Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Tray Tables
Stainless Steel
20th Century American Tray Tables
Iron
1930s British Sheraton Vintage Tray Tables
Wood
1960s Vintage Tray Tables
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Brazilian Organic Modern Tray Tables
Hardwood
1940s Vintage Tray Tables
Glass
Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Tray Tables
Metal
Mid-20th Century Swedish Industrial Tray Tables
Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Tray Tables
Wood
Early 1800s Georgian Antique Tray Tables
Wood
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Teak
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Crystal
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Brass
2010s Belgian Post-Modern Tray Tables
Ash
Late 19th Century English Antique Tray Tables
Brass
20th Century Chinoiserie Tray Tables
Wood
Mid-20th Century French Tray Tables
Glass, Wood
Late 19th Century American Antique Tray Tables
Mahogany
2010s Italian Tray Tables
Marble
1960s Vintage Tray Tables
Hardwood
Early 20th Century French Art Deco Tray Tables
Metal
1920s Art Deco Vintage Tray Tables
Brass
19th Century Italian Antique Tray Tables
Paint, Paper
2010s European Modern Tray Tables
Leather, Plexiglass
2010s Portuguese Organic Modern Tray Tables
Wood, Walnut
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Lucite
1930s French Art Deco Vintage Tray Tables
Brass
19th Century Antique Tray Tables
Wood
19th Century British Antique Tray Tables
Mahogany
2010s Tray Tables
Leather
1910s English Edwardian Vintage Tray Tables
Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary French Art Deco Tray Tables
Brass
1960s Japanese Vintage Tray Tables
Resin
1930s American Art Deco Vintage Tray Tables
Mirror
2010s Italian Tray Tables
Leather, Wood
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Murano Glass
19th Century Antique Tray Tables
Wood, Paper
1960s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Brass
1880s Victorian Antique Tray Tables
Faux Bamboo
20th Century German Tray Tables
Wood
1950s Italian Vintage Tray Tables
Metal
2010s Italian Modern Tray Tables
Sheet Metal
2010s Italian Modern Tray Tables
Marble
20th Century Tray Tables
Laminate, Wood
2010s Italian Modern Tray Tables
Leather, Wood
1970s Italian Vintage Tray Tables
Steel
2010s Italian Tray Tables
Leather
2010s Italian Tray Tables
Leather
19th Century American Anglo-Japanese Antique Tray Tables
Mahogany
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.