Tray Tables
19th Century English Queen Anne Antique Tray Tables
Mahogany
Late 19th Century Swedish Rustic Antique Tray Tables
Pine, Paint
Late 20th Century Tray Tables
Metal
Early 20th Century Italian Tray Tables
Metal
1950s Italian Hollywood Regency Vintage Tray Tables
Brass
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Bamboo
2010s Danish Modern Tray Tables
Iron
2010s Italian Modern Tray Tables
Glass
21st Century and Contemporary French Art Deco Tray Tables
Brass
1840s English Early Victorian Antique Tray Tables
Paper, Faux Bamboo
2010s Italian Tray Tables
Leather
2010s Italian Modern Tray Tables
Iron
19th Century European Edwardian Antique Tray Tables
Metal
2010s Italian Modern Tray Tables
Iron
1960s Italian Neoclassical Vintage Tray Tables
Metal
2010s Italian Modern Tray Tables
Iron
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Wood
Mid-20th Century Thai Country Tray Tables
Rattan
2010s Italian Modern Tray Tables
Iron
20th Century Industrial Tray Tables
Iron
2010s British Modern Tray Tables
Brass, Copper, Steel
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Walnut
Mid-20th Century Campaign Tray Tables
Pine
21st Century and Contemporary French Art Deco Tray Tables
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Tray Tables
Plastic
1950s Italian Hollywood Regency Vintage Tray Tables
Walnut
2010s Italian Modern Tray Tables
Iron
2010s Italian Modern Tray Tables
Iron
Mid-20th Century French Art Deco Tray Tables
Wrought Iron
2010s Italian Modern Tray Tables
Iron
2010s Italian Modern Tray Tables
Glass
2010s Italian Modern Tray Tables
Iron
2010s Italian Modern Tray Tables
Iron
2010s Italian Modern Tray Tables
Glass
Mid-19th Century English Antique Tray Tables
Mahogany
2010s Italian Modern Tray Tables
Iron
2010s Italian Modern Tray Tables
Iron
2010s Italian Modern Tray Tables
Iron
2010s Italian Modern Tray Tables
Iron
Early 20th Century French Baroque Tray Tables
Brass
2010s Italian Modern Tray Tables
Iron
2010s Italian Modern Tray Tables
Iron
2010s Italian Modern Tray Tables
Iron
19th Century Art Nouveau Antique Tray Tables
Walnut
18th Century Chinese Antique Tray Tables
Porcelain
2010s Italian Modern Tray Tables
Iron
2010s Italian Modern Tray Tables
Iron
2010s Italian Modern Tray Tables
Iron
2010s Italian Modern Tray Tables
Iron
2010s Italian Modern Tray Tables
Iron
2010s Italian Modern Tray Tables
Iron
2010s Italian Modern Tray Tables
Iron
2010s Italian Modern Tray Tables
Iron
2010s Italian Modern Tray Tables
Iron
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Tray Tables
Plastic
1970s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Tray Tables
Plastic
2010s Italian Modern Tray Tables
Iron
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.