Tray Tables
2010s Italian Modern Tray Tables
Iron
2010s Italian Modern Tray Tables
Iron
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Tray Tables
Teak
1960s Scandinavian Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Metal
2010s Brazilian Post-Modern Tray Tables
Steel
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Teak
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Brass
2010s European Minimalist Tray Tables
Marble
1960s Italian Neoclassical Vintage Tray Tables
Metal
20th Century Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Acrylic
Late 20th Century American Modern Tray Tables
Copper, Iron
2010s Portuguese Organic Modern Tray Tables
Walnut, Wood
1970s Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Teak
1960s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Bamboo
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Brass
1930s Danish Vintage Tray Tables
Silver, Brass
2010s Turkish Minimalist Tray Tables
Metal
2010s Italian Modern Tray Tables
Oak
Mid-20th Century Hong Kong Chinoiserie Tray Tables
Brass
2010s European Minimalist Tray Tables
Marble
Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Metal
2010s Italian Modern Tray Tables
Leather, Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Tray Tables
Leather, Acrylic, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary French Art Deco Tray Tables
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary French Art Deco Tray Tables
Brass
1930s French Art Deco Vintage Tray Tables
Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Tray Tables
Plastic
1970s Slovak Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Stainless Steel
20th Century Japanese Showa Tray Tables
Other
1980s German Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Metal, Silver Plate
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Tray Tables
Leather, Acrylic, Wood
1930s Czech Art Deco Vintage Tray Tables
Steel, Chrome
1930s French Art Deco Vintage Tray Tables
Wood
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Teak
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Tray Tables
Leather, Acrylic, Wood
Late 20th Century American Modern Tray Tables
Iron
2010s South African Modern Tray Tables
Brass
2010s Thai Modern Tray Tables
Leather, Wood
1960s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Metal
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Lucite
Late 19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Tray Tables
Tôle
2010s Italian Modern Tray Tables
Brass
Mid-20th Century Campaign Tray Tables
Pine
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Teak
2010s Italian Tray Tables
Leather
2010s European Minimalist Tray Tables
Concrete
21st Century and Contemporary French Art Deco Tray Tables
Brass
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Tray Tables
Brass
1960s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Glass
1930s Slovak Art Deco Vintage Tray Tables
Beech
2010s European Minimalist Tray Tables
Marble
2010s Italian Modern Tray Tables
Brass
Late 20th Century English Tray Tables
Brass
2010s European Minimalist Tray Tables
Marble
1830s English Antique Tray Tables
Paper, Wood, Paint
1990s Unknown Post-Modern Tray Tables
Glass, Wood
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Metal
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.