Tray Tables
Late 19th Century Swedish Gothic Revival Antique Tray Tables
Oak
19th Century Napoleon III Antique Tray Tables
Silver Plate
1940s Swiss Bauhaus Vintage Tray Tables
Metal
Late 20th Century Spanish Islamic Tray Tables
Metal
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Rattan
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Tray Tables
Teak
Early 2000s Italian Modern Tray Tables
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Philippine Art Deco Tray Tables
Brass
1930s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Birch
20th Century German Tray Tables
Wood
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Teak
20th Century American Tray Tables
Leather, Wood
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Iron
Mid-20th Century French Art Deco Tray Tables
Wrought Iron
1890s Chinese Qing Antique Tray Tables
Mother-of-Pearl, Teak
1850s English Victorian Antique Tray Tables
Rosewood
Early 20th Century French Art Deco Tray Tables
Metal
Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Tray Tables
Bronze
Mid-19th Century Dutch Antique Tray Tables
Walnut
1950s English Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Hardwood
Early 19th Century English Antique Tray Tables
Wood, Paper
Early 19th Century French Empire Antique Tray Tables
Mahogany
21st Century and Contemporary Philippine Art Deco Tray Tables
Brass
1850s English Early Victorian Antique Tray Tables
Fruitwood, Lacquer, Paper
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Brass
2010s European Modern Tray Tables
Leather, Plexiglass
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Tray Tables
Wood, Leather
1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Glass, Wood
Early 1900s English Arts and Crafts Antique Tray Tables
Brass
1840s English Antique Tray Tables
Mahogany
Mid-19th Century English Victorian Antique Tray Tables
Paper
1930s Campaign Vintage Tray Tables
Oak
21st Century and Contemporary Philippine Art Deco Tray Tables
Brass
Early 20th Century American Chippendale Tray Tables
Mahogany, Burl
Early 20th Century English Edwardian Tray Tables
Other
20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Ceramic, Teak
20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Glass, Teak
20th Century Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Plastic
20th Century Italian Post-Modern Tray Tables
Plastic
1980s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Brass
Early 1900s English Arts and Crafts Antique Tray Tables
Pewter
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Tray Tables
Chrome
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Brass
19th Century British Antique Tray Tables
2010s Italian Tray Tables
Travertine
Early 20th Century Asian Moorish Tray Tables
Metal
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Brass
1940s American Hollywood Regency Vintage Tray Tables
21st Century and Contemporary Philippine Art Deco Tray Tables
Brass
1960s English Georgian Vintage Tray Tables
Mahogany
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Rosewood
21st Century and Contemporary Philippine Art Deco Tray Tables
Brass
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Wood
1880s Dutch Napoleon III Antique Tray Tables
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Philippine Art Deco Tray Tables
Brass
20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Tray Tables
Teak
21st Century and Contemporary Guatemalan Modern Tray Tables
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Tray Tables
Marble, Steel
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Brass
2010s Italian Modern Tray Tables
Stainless 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.