Tray Tables
1920s Thai Other Vintage Tray Tables
Glass, Wood
20th Century German Tray Tables
Wood
1970s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Teak
2010s Italian Minimalist Tray Tables
Travertine
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Metal, Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Tray Tables
Wood
1960s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Tray Tables
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Tray Tables
Brass
Early 19th Century English Regency Antique Tray Tables
Mahogany
1920s Art Deco Vintage Tray Tables
Silver Plate
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Iron
2010s European Minimalist Tray Tables
Marble
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Tray Tables
Brass
1760s Swedish Rococo Antique Tray Tables
Wood
1940s Vintage Tray Tables
Glass
1970s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Rosewood
1960s American Vintage Tray Tables
Chrome, Brass, Steel
2010s European Minimalist Tray Tables
Marble
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Tray Tables
Brass
2010s European Minimalist Tray Tables
Marble
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Brass
19th Century English Antique Tray Tables
Tôle
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Tray Tables
Brass
20th Century Chinese Qing Tray Tables
Rosewood
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Wood
2010s German Modern Tray Tables
Gold
19th Century British Victorian Antique Tray Tables
Tôle
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Tray Tables
Brass
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Brass
Late 19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Tray Tables
Tôle
Early 19th Century English Regency Antique Tray Tables
Lacquer
21st Century and Contemporary Philippine Art Deco Tray Tables
Brass
1770s English Chippendale Antique Tray Tables
Mahogany
2010s Finnish Modern Tray Tables
Elm, Maple, Walnut
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Teak
2010s Danish Scandinavian Modern Tray Tables
Oak
20th Century American British Colonial Tray Tables
Bamboo
19th Century Chinese Chinese Export Antique Tray Tables
Hardwood
1990s North American Modern Tray Tables
Lacquer
Early 1900s Moroccan Late Victorian Antique Tray Tables
Brass
19th Century English Antique Tray Tables
Mahogany
1930s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Silver, Brass
1860s English Antique Tray Tables
Wood
2010s European Minimalist Tray Tables
Marble
1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Teak
19th Century Italian Antique Tray Tables
2010s Italian Modern Tray Tables
Iron
1960s Vintage Tray Tables
Teak
Late 18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Tray Tables
Faience, Cherry
19th Century English Antique Tray Tables
Hardwood
19th Century Swedish Empire Antique Tray Tables
Mahogany
19th Century British Victorian Antique Tray Tables
Faux Bamboo
Late 19th Century French Belle Époque Antique Tray Tables
Bronze, Ormolu
1830s Regency Antique Tray Tables
Walnut
Late 19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Tray Tables
Bronze
1970s Danish Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Oak
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Brass
Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Metal
20th Century American Tray Tables
Brass
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.