Tray Tables
1880s English Victorian Antique Tray Tables
Satinwood
20th Century French Art Deco Tray Tables
Brass
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Teak
2010s Italian Tray Tables
Leather
Early 1900s Moroccan Late Victorian Antique Tray Tables
Brass
2010s Belgian Post-Modern Tray Tables
Ash
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Brass
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Brass
Mid-18th Century Swedish Rococo Antique Tray Tables
Wood, Paint
1960s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Bamboo
19th Century Italian Napoleon III Antique Tray Tables
Lapis Lazuli, Malachite, Bronze
20th Century American Tray Tables
Art Glass
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Steel
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Steel, Chrome
Late 19th Century French Antique Tray Tables
Paper
1970s German Space Age Vintage Tray Tables
Metal
Late 19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Tray Tables
Tôle
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Teak
Mid-20th Century American Edwardian Tray Tables
Walnut, Paint
1890s Indian Antique Tray Tables
Brass
1990s Italian Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Metal
2010s European Minimalist Tray Tables
Marble
Early 1900s Japanese Japonisme Antique Tray Tables
Bamboo, Lacquer
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Silver
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Tray Tables
Wood
20th Century Italian Post-Modern Tray Tables
Plastic
19th Century English Antique Tray Tables
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Tray Tables
Wood, Leather
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Aluminum
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Tray Tables
Marble, Stainless Steel
Early 2000s Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Mirror, Mahogany
1960s Italian Hollywood Regency Vintage Tray Tables
Metal
20th Century Sheraton Tray Tables
Metal
Mid-20th Century Unknown Hollywood Regency Tray Tables
Brass
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Teak
2010s Italian Modern Tray Tables
Iron
Early 1900s English Arts and Crafts Antique Tray Tables
Copper
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Wood, Hardwood
Late 19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Tray Tables
Tôle
Early 1900s Chinoiserie Antique Tray Tables
Padouk
2010s American Tray Tables
Bronze, Steel
1970s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Tray Tables
Copper
20th Century Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Metal, Brass
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Teak
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Formica, Rosewood
Early 20th Century French French Provincial Tray Tables
Glass, Hardwood
Early 20th Century Asian Moorish Tray Tables
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Lebanese Minimalist Tray Tables
Walnut
Mid-20th Century Moroccan Moorish Tray Tables
Brass
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Teak
1930s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Birch
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Late 20th Century Italian Art Nouveau Tray Tables
Brass
1880s Other Antique Tray Tables
Ormolu
19th Century English Antique Tray Tables
Wood
2010s Italian Tray Tables
Leather, Walnut
19th Century French Louis XV Antique Tray Tables
Ormolu
Early 20th Century North American Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Metal
Mid-20th Century Indian Anglo-Indian Tray Tables
Brass, 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.