Tray Tables
1860s English High Victorian Antique Tray Tables
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Tray Tables
Wood, Lacquer
19th Century Gustavian Antique Tray Tables
Pine, Paint
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Tray Tables
Metal
19th Century French Louis XV Antique Tray Tables
Ormolu
Early 20th Century Turkish Moorish Tray Tables
Copper
1940s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Brass
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Tray Tables
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Tray Tables
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary French Art Deco Tray Tables
Brass
2010s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Brass
Mid-20th Century American Tray Tables
Silver Leaf
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Brass, Steel
19th Century French Antique Tray Tables
Fruitwood
2010s Italian Modern Tray Tables
Gold
1970s French Vintage Tray Tables
Brass
Late 19th Century English Campaign Antique Tray Tables
Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Tray Tables
Metal
Early 19th Century English Regency Antique Tray Tables
Tin
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Tray Tables
Chrome
20th Century French Art Deco Tray Tables
Brass
Late 20th Century Spanish Tray Tables
Bamboo
Mid-20th Century Moroccan Moorish Tray Tables
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Swedish Tray Tables
Teak
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Tray Tables
Marble
21st Century and Contemporary French Art Deco Tray Tables
Brass
2010s Italian Modern Tray Tables
Mother-of-Pearl, Ebony
Mid-19th Century Campaign Antique Tray Tables
Mahogany
21st Century and Contemporary French Art Deco Tray Tables
Brass
2010s American Other Tray Tables
Metal
1960s Norwegian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Enamel
21st Century and Contemporary Dutch Modern Tray Tables
Oak
2010s American Other Tray Tables
Metal
1890s Indian Antique Tray Tables
Brass
1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Teak, Plywood
21st Century and Contemporary Guatemalan Modern Tray Tables
Wood
Early 20th Century French Tray Tables
Silver Plate, Brass
2010s Italian Tray Tables
Murano Glass
Mid-20th Century Tray Tables
Walnut
20th Century American Tray Tables
Cotton, Silk, Bamboo
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Tray Tables
Copper
21st Century and Contemporary French Art Deco Tray Tables
Brass
Mid-19th Century Victorian Antique Tray Tables
Tin
19th Century French Antique Tray Tables
Metal
2010s Italian Modern Tray Tables
Stainless Steel
1880s Victorian Antique Tray Tables
Lacquer
Early 19th Century English Regency Antique Tray Tables
Lacquer, Paper
1990s Tray Tables
Chrome
Mid-19th Century English Antique Tray Tables
Tôle
21st Century and Contemporary Lebanese Minimalist Tray Tables
Walnut
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Metal
Mid-20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Tray Tables
Tôle
2010s American Other Tray Tables
Metal
2010s European Minimalist Tray Tables
Marble
1980s Italian Post-Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Steel
1820s English George IV Antique Tray Tables
Fruitwood, Mahogany
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Aluminum
21st Century and Contemporary Italian 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.