Tray Tables
Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Tray Tables
Metal
Mid-20th Century Tray Tables
Brass
2010s South African Modern Tray Tables
Brass
Early 1900s English Arts and Crafts Antique Tray Tables
Pewter
Early 20th Century Swedish Rococo Tray Tables
Porcelain, Wood, Paint
1960s Vintage Tray Tables
Metal, Zinc
1960s Scandinavian Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Metal
Early 19th Century Antique Tray Tables
Mahogany
Mid-19th Century American Antique Tray Tables
Metal
1930s Art Deco Vintage Tray Tables
Sterling Silver
1920s Chinoiserie Vintage Tray Tables
Lacquer
2010s European Minimalist Tray Tables
Marble
20th Century European Art Deco Tray Tables
Metal
1770s Swedish Rococo Antique Tray Tables
Pine
1980s French Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Brass
1970s Italian Vintage Tray Tables
Steel
1960s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Bamboo
20th Century Danish Tray Tables
Wood
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Tray Tables
Teak
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Tray Tables
Marble, Metal
19th Century European Edwardian Antique Tray Tables
Metal
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Walnut, Wood
2010s American Other Tray Tables
Metal, Sheet Metal
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Brass, Steel
1980s Vintage Tray Tables
Brass, Metal
2010s Italian Modern Tray Tables
Iron
19th Century French Antique Tray Tables
Bronze
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Tray Tables
Plywood
2010s American Other Tray Tables
Metal, Sheet Metal
2010s Italian Modern Tray Tables
Iron
2010s Italian Modern Tray Tables
Marble
1970s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Wood
Early 1900s English Antique Tray Tables
Wood
2010s American Tray Tables
Bronze, Steel
2010s Italian Modern Tray Tables
Iron
2010s European Minimalist Tray Tables
Marble
2010s American Other Tray Tables
Metal
19th Century English Antique Tray Tables
Hardwood
19th Century English Victorian Antique Tray Tables
Tin
19th Century German Antique Tray Tables
Walnut
20th Century English Tray Tables
Oak
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Teak
1990s Italian Classical Roman Tray Tables
Metal
2010s European Minimalist Tray Tables
Marble
1960s Danish Vintage Tray Tables
Teak
2010s English Modern Tray Tables
Marble, Brass, Steel
1970s English Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Hardwood
Early 20th Century French Art Nouveau Tray Tables
Glass, Walnut
2010s Italian Modern Tray Tables
Iron
2010s American Other Tray Tables
Metal, Sheet Metal
Early 18th Century French Antique Tray Tables
Marble
1950s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Metal, Brass
1960s Brazilian Scandinavian Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Formica, Rosewood
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Crystal, Brass
Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Tray Tables
Faience, Pine
2010s Danish Post-Modern Tray Tables
Crystal
1920s Vintage Tray Tables
Wood
1960s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Ceramic
20th Century American Tray Tables
Rosewood
2010s Indian Other Tray Tables
Metal, Sheet Metal
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.