Tray Tables
Late 20th Century English Tray Tables
Brass
20th Century Tray Tables
Wood, Mahogany, Paint
1990s Italian Classical Roman Tray Tables
Metal
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Canvas, Walnut
1930s European Vintage Tray Tables
Wood
Mid-20th Century Italian Art Deco Tray Tables
Metal
20th Century Tray Tables
Faux Bamboo, Wood
1850s English Campaign Antique Tray Tables
Mahogany
Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Tray Tables
Rosewood, Lacquer
1970s Italian Space Age Vintage Tray Tables
Plastic
Mid-20th Century American Queen Anne Tray Tables
Mahogany
19th Century English Victorian Antique Tray Tables
Wood, Paint
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Brass, Bronze
Early 19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Tray Tables
Tin
1970s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Rosewood
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Metal
19th Century English Regency Antique Tray Tables
Lacquer
Early 20th Century French Tray Tables
Marble, Brass
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Aluminum
Mid-19th Century Victorian Antique Tray Tables
Mahogany
1950s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Wool, Glass
Late 20th Century Italian Space Age Tray Tables
Plastic
20th Century American Bohemian Tray Tables
Wicker, Wood, Bamboo
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Tray Tables
Rosewood
Early 20th Century French Art Nouveau Tray Tables
Ceramic, Porcelain
Late 19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Tray Tables
Tôle
Mid-19th Century English Regency Antique Tray Tables
Rosewood
Mid-19th Century English Victorian Antique Tray Tables
Paper
1870s English Regency Antique Tray Tables
Hardwood
20th Century Tray Tables
Copper
1930s Slovak Art Deco Vintage Tray Tables
Beech
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Teak
Early 20th Century American Tray Tables
Mahogany
1930s Vintage Tray Tables
Bamboo, Wicker
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Wrought Iron
20th Century Moroccan British Colonial Tray Tables
Brass
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Brass
Early 20th Century Dutch Chippendale Tray Tables
Glass, Beech, Walnut, Burl
20th Century American Tray Tables
Art Glass
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Wood
1830s English Antique Tray Tables
Hardwood, Paint
Early 20th Century Asian Chinoiserie Tray Tables
Bamboo, Wood, Lacquer
Mid-19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Tray Tables
Metal
1890s English Edwardian Antique Tray Tables
Satinwood, Mahogany
20th Century Tray Tables
Bamboo
Late 19th Century Mission Antique Tray Tables
Oak
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Rattan, Teak
Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Chrome
Mid-18th Century English Chippendale Antique Tray Tables
Mahogany
Late 19th Century French Provincial Antique Tray Tables
Cherry
1850s English Victorian Antique Tray Tables
Paper
20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Tray Tables
Teak
Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Tray Tables
Pine
20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Tray Tables
Metal
Early 19th Century English Georgian Antique Tray Tables
Mahogany
18th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Tray Tables
Metal, Brass
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Brass
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export 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.