Tray Tables
Early 19th Century Antique Tray Tables
Mahogany
Early 20th Century French Art Nouveau Tray Tables
Glass, Walnut
19th Century English Antique Tray Tables
Wood, Lacquer
1970s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Wood
Early 1900s French Antique Tray Tables
Bamboo, Wood
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Wrought Iron
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Brass, Steel
2010s English Post-Modern Tray Tables
Marble
2010s Danish Modern Tray Tables
Iron
2010s Indian Other Tray Tables
Metal, Sheet Metal
1940s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Brass
2010s American Other Tray Tables
Metal, Sheet Metal
Early 18th Century French Antique Tray Tables
Marble
19th Century German Antique Tray Tables
Walnut
2010s Danish Post-Modern Tray Tables
Crystal
21st Century and Contemporary Turkish Tray Tables
Bronze, Stainless Steel
2010s European Minimalist Tray Tables
Concrete
2010s American Other Tray Tables
Metal, Sheet Metal
2010s American Other Tray Tables
Metal, Sheet Metal
1770s Swedish Rococo Antique Tray Tables
Wood, Faience
2010s American Other Tray Tables
Metal, Sheet Metal
19th Century Swedish Empire Antique Tray Tables
Mahogany
2010s American Other Tray Tables
Metal, Sheet Metal
1970s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Rosewood
2010s German Modern Tray Tables
Gold
1950s European Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Rosewood
1870s English Victorian Antique Tray Tables
Mahogany
1970s European Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Chrome
2010s European Minimalist Tray Tables
Concrete
2010s American Other Tray Tables
Metal, Brass, Sheet Metal
Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Tray Tables
Faience, Pine
2010s English Modern Tray Tables
Marble, Brass, Steel
2010s Indian Other Tray Tables
Metal, Sheet Metal
2010s Indian Other Tray Tables
Metal, Sheet Metal
2010s Indian Other Tray Tables
Metal, Sheet Metal
2010s American Other Tray Tables
Metal, Sheet Metal
2010s American Other Tray Tables
Metal, Sheet Metal
2010s American Other Tray Tables
Metal, Brass, Sheet Metal
2010s American Other Tray Tables
Metal, Sheet Metal
2010s American Other Tray Tables
Metal, Sheet Metal
2010s American Other Tray Tables
Metal, Sheet Metal
2010s American Other Tray Tables
Metal, Sheet Metal
2010s American Other Tray Tables
Metal, Sheet Metal
2010s American Other Tray Tables
Metal, Sheet Metal
1920s Japanese Taisho Vintage Tray Tables
Lacquer
Early 20th Century Portuguese Romantic Tray Tables
Oak
20th Century English Tray Tables
Oak
1840s French Country Antique Tray Tables
Wood
Late 19th Century French Belle Époque Antique Tray Tables
Ormolu, Bronze
Mid-20th Century English Victorian Tray Tables
Brass
2010s Italian Modern Tray Tables
Iron
2010s Danish Modern Tray Tables
Steel
2010s Italian Modern Tray Tables
Iron
1950s European Vintage Tray Tables
Teak
Mid-19th Century English Antique Tray Tables
Tôle
1990s North American Modern Tray Tables
Lacquer
Mid-20th Century American Regency Tray Tables
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary American Tray Tables
Lacquer, Wood
2010s American Other Tray Tables
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Slovenian Tray Tables
Plywood
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.