Tray Tables
21st Century and Contemporary Turkish Tray Tables
Bronze, Stainless Steel
Early 1900s Austrian Vienna Secession Antique Tray Tables
Brass
Early 1900s French Art Nouveau Antique Tray Tables
Rosewood
1860s English High Victorian Antique Tray Tables
Wood
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Silver
1880s Other Antique Tray Tables
Ormolu
1880s English Late Victorian Antique Tray Tables
Hardwood, Walnut
1930s Moroccan Moorish Vintage Tray Tables
Brass
Late 19th Century Swedish Rustic Antique Tray Tables
Pine, Paint
Late 19th Century British Victorian Antique Tray Tables
Silver
19th Century Persian Islamic Antique Tray Tables
Copper
1880s Burmese Late Victorian Antique Tray Tables
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Dutch Modern Tray Tables
Stainless Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Tray Tables
Marble, Steel
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Brass
1970s Italian Space Age Vintage Tray Tables
Plastic
20th Century Tray Tables
2010s Italian Tray Tables
Leather, Rosewood
21st Century and Contemporary Philippine Art Deco Tray Tables
Brass
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Crystal, Gold Plate, Brass
1940s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Mirror
21st Century and Contemporary Philippine Art Deco Tray Tables
Stainless Steel
Mid-18th Century British George II Antique Tray Tables
Wood
1950s European Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Rosewood
21st Century and Contemporary Philippine Art Deco Tray Tables
Brass
1960s Danish Vintage Tray Tables
Teak
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Tray Tables
Brass
2010s American Tray Tables
Bronze, Steel
20th Century Tray Tables
Copper
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Teak
2010s American Tray Tables
Bronze, Steel
19th Century English Edwardian Antique Tray Tables
Brass
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Steel, Chrome
20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Tray Tables
Mahogany
1950s American Vintage Tray Tables
Brass
Late 18th Century English Georgian Antique Tray Tables
Mahogany
1980s Italian Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Brass
2010s Italian Modern Tray Tables
Sheet Metal
2010s Italian Tray Tables
Leather, Wood
1820s English William IV Antique Tray Tables
Scagliola, Rosewood
Mid-20th Century Indian Anglo-Indian Tray Tables
Brass
1970s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Oak
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Steel, Chrome
1970s Vintage Tray Tables
Wicker, Glass
Early 20th Century French French Provincial Tray Tables
Glass, Hardwood
1930s French Art Deco Vintage Tray Tables
Walnut
Early 1900s French Antique Tray Tables
Bamboo, Wood
1790s English Chippendale Antique Tray Tables
Mahogany
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Tray Tables
Wood, Ebony
2010s Italian Tray Tables
Leather
Mid-20th Century Indian Anglo-Indian Tray Tables
Bone, Hardwood
21st Century and Contemporary Philippine Art Deco Tray Tables
Stainless Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Philippine Art Deco Tray Tables
Brass
1930s British Queen Anne Vintage Tray Tables
Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary Philippine Art Deco Tray Tables
Quartz, Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Tray Tables
Paint, Beech
Early 20th Century French Louis XVI Tray Tables
Brass, Bronze, Ormolu
Early 1900s English Arts and Crafts Antique Tray Tables
Copper
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Teak
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Steel
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.