Tray Tables
1880s English Victorian Antique Tray Tables
Satinwood
1960s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Metal
2010s Italian Modern Tray Tables
Copper
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Tray Tables
Teak
1920s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Birch
Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Metal
1840s English Early Victorian Antique Tray Tables
Paper, Faux Bamboo
21st Century and Contemporary Guatemalan Modern Tray Tables
Wood
19th Century English Hollywood Regency Antique Tray Tables
Metal
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Murano Glass
Mid-20th Century Moorish Tray Tables
Brass
1960s Italian Neoclassical Vintage Tray Tables
Metal
1980s German Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Metal, Silver Plate
1930s French Art Deco Vintage Tray Tables
Walnut
Late 20th Century American Modern Tray Tables
Iron
21st Century and Contemporary American Campaign Tray Tables
Brass
1860s English High Victorian Antique Tray Tables
Satinwood
2010s Portuguese Organic Modern Tray Tables
Walnut, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary European Scandinavian Modern Tray Tables
Concrete, Steel
Early 20th Century North American Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Metal
Early 20th Century French Louis XVI Tray Tables
Brass, Bronze, Ormolu
2010s German Modern Tray Tables
Marble, Metal
2010s Danish Tray Tables
Wood
Late 19th Century English Georgian Antique Tray Tables
Glass, Mahogany, Satinwood
2010s Turkish Minimalist Tray Tables
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Tray Tables
Leather, Acrylic, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary French Scandinavian Modern Tray Tables
Concrete, Steel
Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Tray Tables
Leather, Acrylic, Wood
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Teak
21st Century and Contemporary French Art Deco Tray Tables
Brass
1920s English Vintage Tray Tables
Sterling Silver
Mid-20th Century Tray Tables
Metal, Brass, Aluminum
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Tray Tables
Leather, Acrylic, Wood
2010s Italian Modern Tray Tables
Leather, Walnut
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Teak
Mid-19th Century English Chinoiserie Antique Tray Tables
Mahogany
Late 19th Century Victorian Antique Tray Tables
Brass
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Turkish Tray Tables
Bronze, Stainless Steel
1950s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Wood
1950s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Beech, Birch, Lacquer
1930s Italian Art Deco Vintage Tray Tables
Mirror, Wood
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Turkish Tray Tables
Bronze, Stainless Steel
Early 20th Century English Tray Tables
Wood
Early 20th Century Moroccan Moorish Tray Tables
Leather, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Tray Tables
Stainless Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Tray Tables
Wood, Leather
Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Brass
Late 19th Century English Regency Antique Tray Tables
Wood
Early 19th Century English Regency Antique Tray Tables
Brass
1970s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Lucite
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Tray Tables
Stainless Steel
1960s Hong Kong Moorish Vintage Tray Tables
Brass
20th Century Tray Tables
Silver Plate
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Formica, Rosewood
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.