Tray Tables
1860s English High Victorian Antique Tray Tables
Satinwood
1930s French Art Deco Vintage Tray Tables
Wood
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Teak
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Brass
Early 20th Century Moroccan Moorish Tray Tables
Leather, Wood
Late 20th Century British Tray Tables
Wood
1660s Italian Mid-Century Modern Antique Tray Tables
Brass
Late 20th Century American Modern Tray Tables
Iron
1970s Italian Hollywood Regency Vintage Tray Tables
Steel, Brass
1930s Italian Art Deco Vintage Tray Tables
Mirror, Wood
1830s English Antique Tray Tables
Other
1920s English Vintage Tray Tables
Sterling Silver
1920s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Birch
1960s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Glass
Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Brass
Mid-19th Century English Chinoiserie Antique Tray Tables
Mahogany
Mid-20th Century Indian Anglo-Indian Tray Tables
Brass
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Brass
1860s English Campaign Antique Tray Tables
Brass
1950s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Wood
1970s Italian Space Age Vintage Tray Tables
Plastic
Early 20th Century North American Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Metal
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Formica, Rosewood
Early 19th Century English Georgian Antique Tray Tables
Brass
1820s English George III Antique Tray Tables
Tin
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Tray Tables
Metal
Early 20th Century Asian Moorish Tray Tables
Metal
20th Century English Tray Tables
Oak
Late 19th Century English Regency Antique Tray Tables
Wood
Early 19th Century English Antique Tray Tables
Wood, Paint, Paper
Early 19th Century Danish Empire Antique Tray Tables
Metal, Brass
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Tray Tables
Brass
Mid-20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Brass
Early 20th Century French Louis XVI Tray Tables
Brass, Bronze, Ormolu
Late 19th Century Unknown Antique Tray Tables
Wood
Mid-20th Century French Brutalist Tray Tables
Iron
1970s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Lucite
19th Century English Other Antique Tray Tables
Metal
1990s Unknown Post-Modern Tray Tables
Glass, Wood
Early 20th Century French French Provincial Tray Tables
Glass, Hardwood
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Brass
1850s English Victorian Antique Tray Tables
Rosewood
Late 19th Century English Edwardian Antique Tray Tables
Satinwood
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Metal
1980s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Brass
1950s Italian Hollywood Regency Vintage Tray Tables
Metal
1830s English Antique Tray Tables
Paper, Wood, Paint
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Metal
1960s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Metal
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Tray Tables
Leather, Wood
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Iron
1950s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Aluminum
19th Century English Regency Antique Tray Tables
Metal
1960s English Georgian Vintage Tray Tables
Mahogany
20th Century Philippine British Colonial Tray Tables
Rattan
Mid-20th Century Moorish Tray Tables
Brass
Early 20th Century English Tray Tables
Mahogany
18th Century Antique Tray Tables
Porcelain
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.