Tray Tables
20th Century English Tray Tables
Wood
20th Century Industrial Tray Tables
Iron
Early 19th Century English Regency Antique Tray Tables
Mahogany
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Metal, Chrome
21st Century and Contemporary French Art Deco Tray Tables
Brass
Late 19th Century French Antique Tray Tables
Metal
Late 20th Century Organic Modern Tray Tables
Rattan, Reed, Grasscloth
Early 1900s Antique Tray Tables
Silver Plate
20th Century Italian Tray Tables
Walnut
Early 20th Century French Louis XVI Tray Tables
Brass
19th Century English Edwardian Antique Tray Tables
Faux Bamboo, Wood
1880s Other Antique Tray Tables
Ormolu
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Faux Bamboo
1950s Argentine Vintage Tray Tables
Bronze
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Steel
Late 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Tray Tables
Wood, Paint
Late 20th Century Hollywood Regency Tray Tables
Bamboo, Wood
20th Century Asian Moorish Tray Tables
Brass
Late 19th Century American Antique Tray Tables
Mahogany
1920s Thai Dutch Colonial Vintage Tray Tables
Glass, Wood
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Rattan
Mid-20th Century Salvadoran Spanish Colonial Tray Tables
Mahogany
19th Century English Georgian Antique Tray Tables
Mahogany
1940s Italian Vintage Tray Tables
Glass, Wood
Late 20th Century Hong Kong Chinese Export Tray Tables
Bamboo, Cane, Reed
20th Century English Tray Tables
Bamboo, Wood
20th Century European Tray Tables
Bamboo, 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
19th Century English Antique Tray Tables
Metal
Mid-20th Century Indian Anglo-Indian Tray Tables
Bone, Hardwood
21st Century and Contemporary French Art Deco Tray Tables
Brass
1960s Vintage Tray Tables
Brass
1940s American Queen Anne Vintage Tray Tables
Wood
1850s English William IV Antique Tray Tables
Mahogany
1960s Chinoiserie Vintage Tray Tables
Bamboo
1960s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Brass, Steel
1940s Vintage Tray Tables
Glass
20th Century American Tray Tables
Iron
1960s Vintage Tray Tables
Brass
Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Brass
Early 20th Century Swedish Rococo Tray Tables
Porcelain, Wood, Paint
Mid-20th Century French Tray Tables
Glass, Wood
Early 19th Century English George III Antique Tray Tables
Mahogany
19th Century Italian Antique Tray Tables
Paint, Paper
1960s Vintage Tray Tables
Hardwood
Early 20th Century French Art Deco Tray Tables
Metal
1840s English Antique Tray Tables
Mahogany
19th Century Antique Tray Tables
Wood
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Nickel
1920s Vintage Tray Tables
Wood
20th Century Chinoiserie Tray Tables
Wood
19th Century Antique Tray Tables
Wood, Paper
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.