Tray Tables
20th Century English Tray Tables
Wood
1920s Thai Dutch Colonial Vintage Tray Tables
Wood, Glass
2010s American Tray Tables
Bronze, Steel
1940s Italian Vintage Tray Tables
Glass, Wood
19th Century French Antique Tray Tables
Bronze
21st Century and Contemporary French Art Deco Tray Tables
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary French Art Deco Tray Tables
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary French Art Deco Tray Tables
Quartz, Brass
21st Century and Contemporary French Art Deco Tray Tables
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary French Art Deco Tray Tables
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary French Art Deco Tray Tables
Brass
20th Century European Tray Tables
Bamboo, Wood
20th Century English Tray Tables
Bamboo, Wood
1960s Vintage Tray Tables
Hardwood
Early 20th Century French Art Deco Tray Tables
Metal
1930s American Art Deco Vintage Tray Tables
Mirror
1990s Indonesian Organic Modern Tray Tables
Wood
1980s North American Hollywood Regency Vintage Tray Tables
Metal, Brass
1870s French Other Antique Tray Tables
Walnut
19th Century Victorian Antique Tray Tables
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary French Art Deco Tray Tables
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary French Art Deco Tray Tables
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary French Art Deco Tray Tables
Brass
1940s American Art Deco Vintage Tray Tables
Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Tray Tables
Bronze, Nickel, Brass
1890s Japanese Meiji Antique Tray Tables
Teak
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Metal
Early 20th Century Art Nouveau Tray Tables
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary French Art Deco Tray Tables
Wood, Shagreen Stingray
21st Century and Contemporary French Art Deco Tray Tables
Brass
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary French Art Deco Tray Tables
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary French Art Deco Tray Tables
Brass
2010s German Modern Tray Tables
Marble, Metal
Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary French Art Deco Tray Tables
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary French Art Deco Tray Tables
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary French Art Deco Tray Tables
Brass
Mid-20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary French Art Deco Tray Tables
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary French Art Deco Tray Tables
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary French Art Deco Tray Tables
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary French Art Deco Tray Tables
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary French Art Deco Tray Tables
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Tray Tables
Brass, Nickel, Bronze
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Tray Tables
Brass, Nickel, Bronze
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Tray Tables
Brass, Nickel, Bronze
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Tray Tables
Brass, Nickel, Bronze
21st Century and Contemporary French Art Deco Tray Tables
Brass
19th Century English Victorian Antique Tray Tables
Wood, Paint
21st Century and Contemporary French Art Deco Tray Tables
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary French Art Deco Tray Tables
Brass
2010s American Tray Tables
Bronze, Steel
21st Century and Contemporary French Art Deco Tray Tables
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary French Art Deco Tray Tables
Brass
2010s Argentine Modern Tray Tables
Ebony, Sycamore, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary French Art Deco Tray Tables
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary French Art Deco Tray Tables
Brass
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.