Tray Tables
20th Century Tray Tables
Bamboo
1940s French Art Deco Vintage Tray Tables
Early 19th Century English Regency Antique Tray Tables
Lacquer, Paper
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Tray Tables
Brass
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Brass
20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Tray Tables
Metal
19th Century French Antique Tray Tables
Fruitwood
1940s American Hollywood Regency Vintage Tray Tables
Aluminum
2010s American Tray Tables
Bronze, Steel
Late 20th Century Spanish Tray Tables
Wood
1930s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Birch
19th Century English Antique Tray Tables
Tôle
1880s Victorian Antique Tray Tables
Lacquer
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Brass
Early 20th Century American Chippendale Tray Tables
Mahogany, Burl
2010s American Tray Tables
Bronze, Steel
1890s Indian Antique Tray Tables
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Tray Tables
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Tray Tables
Brass
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Wood
1820s English George IV Antique Tray Tables
Fruitwood, Mahogany
Early 20th Century English Edwardian Tray Tables
Brass, Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Tray Tables
Travertine, Bronze
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Rosewood
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Teak
19th Century English Regency Antique Tray Tables
Metal
1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Teak, Plywood
2010s American American Classical Tray Tables
Shagreen, Suede
1890s English Edwardian Antique Tray Tables
Satinwood, Mahogany
2010s Italian Tray Tables
Travertine
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Tray Tables
Metal
20th Century Moroccan British Colonial Tray Tables
Brass
1820s English William IV Antique Tray Tables
Scagliola, Rosewood
2010s Italian Modern Tray Tables
Copper
2010s Italian Tray Tables
Leather, Wenge
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Tray Tables
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Dutch Modern Tray Tables
Stainless Steel
19th Century English Victorian Antique Tray Tables
Wood
1920s Vintage Tray Tables
Wood
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Teak
Mid-18th Century English Queen Anne Antique Tray Tables
Mahogany
1810s English George III Antique Tray Tables
Brass
Mid-19th Century English Antique Tray Tables
Wood, Paper
Early 20th Century French Tray Tables
Silver Plate, Brass
Early 19th Century English Regency Antique Tray Tables
Tin
Late 18th Century English George III Antique Tray Tables
Other
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Brass
Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Tray Tables
Pine
2010s Mexican Tray Tables
Marble
1930s Austrian Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Wood
19th Century British Victorian Antique Tray Tables
Tôle
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Tray Tables
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Tray Tables
Beech, Paint
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Tray Tables
Brass
2010s American Tray Tables
Bronze, Steel
Late 19th Century American Antique Tray Tables
Walnut
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.