Tray Tables
Mid-19th Century English Georgian Antique Tray Tables
Mahogany, Oak
Early 1900s Antique Tray Tables
Silver Plate
20th Century Asian Moorish Tray Tables
Brass
1960s Vintage Tray Tables
Brass
1840s English Antique Tray Tables
Mahogany
1960s Vintage Tray Tables
Brass
1940s Vintage Tray Tables
Glass
Mid-20th Century French Tray Tables
Glass, Wood
20th Century Chinoiserie Tray Tables
Wood
Late 19th Century American Antique Tray Tables
Mahogany
19th Century Antique Tray Tables
Wood
19th Century Antique Tray Tables
Wood, Paper
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Nickel
Late 19th Century Victorian Antique Tray Tables
Metal
Early 20th Century Moroccan Islamic Tray Tables
Brass
Early 20th Century Moroccan Islamic Tray Tables
Copper
20th Century French Industrial Tray Tables
Metal
20th Century Asian Moorish Tray Tables
Brass
Mid-20th Century Hong Kong Chinoiserie Tray Tables
Brass
Late 19th Century English Late Victorian Antique Tray Tables
Mother-of-Pearl, Wood, Paper
1920s Vintage Tray Tables
Pewter
Late 20th Century Indian Agra Tray Tables
Marble
Mid-20th Century Moroccan Moorish Tray Tables
Brass
1930s Vintage Tray Tables
Metal
Early 20th Century Asian Islamic Tray Tables
Brass
20th Century Asian Moorish Tray Tables
Brass
Late 20th Century Tray Tables
Metal
Early 20th Century Moroccan Moorish Tray Tables
Brass, Copper
19th Century English Hollywood Regency Antique Tray Tables
Metal
19th Century German Chinoiserie Antique Tray Tables
Brass
Early 19th Century English George III Antique Tray Tables
Mahogany
19th Century English Queen Anne Antique Tray Tables
Mahogany
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Bamboo
Late 19th Century Turkish Islamic Antique Tray Tables
Metal, Copper
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Walnut
Mid-19th Century English Antique Tray Tables
Mahogany
18th Century Chinese Antique Tray Tables
Porcelain
Early 20th Century Egyptian Moorish Tray Tables
Brass
Early 19th Century European Egyptian Revival Antique Tray Tables
Satinwood, Walnut, Burl
Mid-20th Century Moorish Tray Tables
Brass
Late 19th Century Chinoiserie Antique Tray Tables
Bamboo, Wood
Mid-20th Century Indian Anglo-Indian Tray Tables
Wood
Mid-20th Century Indian Anglo-Indian Tray Tables
Brass
Early 20th Century Asian Moorish Tray Tables
Metal
19th Century English Regency Antique Tray Tables
Metal
Late 19th Century English Regency Antique Tray Tables
Wood
Early 20th Century French French Provincial Tray Tables
Glass, Hardwood
Mid-20th Century Moorish Tray Tables
Brass
Early 20th Century English Tray Tables
Mahogany
18th Century Antique Tray Tables
Porcelain
Late 20th Century Tray Tables
Walnut
20th Century Tray Tables
Faux Bamboo, Wood
Early 20th Century American Tray Tables
Mahogany
20th Century English Regency Tray Tables
Metal, Silver
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Wood
Early 1900s French Antique Tray Tables
Bamboo, Wood
Late 19th Century Turkish Moorish Antique Tray Tables
Metal, Copper
Early 20th Century Turkish Moorish Tray Tables
Copper
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.