Tray Tables
20th Century Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Metal, Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Lebanese Minimalist Tray Tables
Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Tray Tables
Stainless Steel
Late 20th Century Italian Art Nouveau Tray Tables
Brass
Mid-20th Century North American Hollywood Regency Tray Tables
Wrought Iron
Mid-19th Century Victorian Antique Tray Tables
Tin
1830s English Regency Antique Tray Tables
Wood, Lacquer
2010s Danish Post-Modern Tray Tables
Crystal
1960s Italian Hollywood Regency Vintage Tray Tables
Brass
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Mercury Glass, Wood
1940s American Queen Anne Vintage Tray Tables
Wood
Early 1900s Japanese Japonisme Antique Tray Tables
Bamboo, Lacquer
Early 20th Century French Art Nouveau Tray Tables
Glass, Walnut, Fabric
1980s Italian Post-Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Steel
1960s French Hollywood Regency Vintage Tray Tables
Brass
2010s Italian Modern Tray Tables
Iron
21st Century and Contemporary Philippine Art Deco Tray Tables
Brass
Early 19th Century English Regency Antique Tray Tables
Wood
Early 1900s German Art Nouveau Antique Tray Tables
Metal
2010s Danish Post-Modern Tray Tables
Crystal
19th Century English Antique Tray Tables
Bamboo
1920s Japanese Taisho Vintage Tray Tables
Lacquer
2010s Spanish Modern Tray Tables
Iron
Early 1900s Chinese Export Antique Tray Tables
Brass
2010s Italian Modern Tray Tables
Iron
1960s American Vintage Tray Tables
Mahogany
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Copper
19th Century French Antique Tray Tables
Tôle
Early 20th Century North American Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Metal
1860s Victorian Antique Tray Tables
Walnut
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Formica, Beech
Late 20th Century American Modern Tray Tables
Iron
20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Plastic
Early 20th Century English Edwardian Tray Tables
Other
19th Century English Regency Antique Tray Tables
Lacquer
2010s Italian Modern Tray Tables
Sheet Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Modern Tray Tables
Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Tray Tables
Plastic
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Wood
20th Century Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Plastic, Wood
Mid-20th Century Philippine Rustic Tray Tables
Leather, Wood
20th Century French Art Nouveau Tray Tables
Scagliola, Wood
20th Century Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Metal
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Brass
Mid-20th Century Mexican Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Gold Leaf
20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Steel, Chrome, Metal
2010s Belgian Post-Modern Tray Tables
Ash
20th Century Norwegian Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Aluminum
2010s Belgian Post-Modern Tray Tables
Ash
20th Century Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Teak
2010s Italian Modern Tray Tables
Iron
20th Century English Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Brass
20th Century Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Teak
21st Century and Contemporary Lebanese Minimalist Tray Tables
Walnut
20th Century English Sheraton Tray Tables
Brass
19th Century French Louis XV Antique Tray Tables
Ormolu
2010s Philippine Campaign Tray Tables
Wood
Mid-19th Century English Antique Tray Tables
Tôle
Early 1900s British Edwardian Antique Tray Tables
Wood
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Chrome
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.