Tray Tables
20th Century Asian Moorish Tray Tables
Brass
Mid-20th Century French Colonial Revival Tray Tables
Wicker, Cane, Rattan, Wood
Late 18th Century English George III Antique Tray Tables
Mahogany
1890s English Edwardian Antique Tray Tables
Mahogany, Satinwood
Late 19th Century British Victorian Antique Tray Tables
Silver
20th Century American Bohemian Tray Tables
Wicker, Wood, Bamboo
Early 20th Century Moroccan Islamic Tray Tables
Brass
19th Century Persian Islamic Antique Tray Tables
Brass
Early 2000s American Tray Tables
Rattan, Mahogany
20th Century Tray Tables
Bamboo
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Tray Tables
Metal
Mid-19th Century French Antique Tray Tables
Walnut
Late 19th Century Turkish Moorish Antique Tray Tables
Metal, Copper
20th Century Asian Moorish Tray Tables
Brass
Mid-20th Century Moroccan Moorish Tray Tables
Brass
1890s English Regency Antique Tray Tables
Mahogany
1870s American Regency Antique Tray Tables
Silver Plate
Late 20th Century Hong Kong Chinese Export Tray Tables
Bamboo, Cane, Reed
Late 20th Century Indian Agra Tray Tables
Marble
1940s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Tray Tables
Marble, Steel
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Silver
Early 20th Century Danish Neoclassical Tray Tables
Ash, Walnut
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Metal, Aluminum
Late 19th Century French Antique Tray Tables
Paper
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Brass, Bronze
21st Century and Contemporary Guatemalan Modern Tray Tables
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Philippine Art Deco Tray Tables
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Philippine Art Deco Tray Tables
Brass
Late 19th Century French Antique Tray Tables
Paper
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Tray Tables
Metal
1930s Chinoiserie Vintage Tray Tables
Wood
1970s Chinese Hollywood Regency Vintage Tray Tables
Wicker
20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Ash
Late 20th Century American Georgian Tray Tables
Faux Leather, Faux Bamboo
Late 19th Century French Art Nouveau Antique Tray Tables
Hardwood
Mid-20th Century American Queen Anne Tray Tables
Mahogany
21st Century and Contemporary Philippine Art Deco Tray Tables
Brass
Early 1900s English Arts and Crafts Antique Tray Tables
Pewter
20th Century Asian Moorish Tray Tables
Brass
19th Century English Antique Tray Tables
Wood
1960s Vintage Tray Tables
Brass
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Tray Tables
Plastic
19th Century English Late Victorian Antique Tray Tables
Mahogany
21st Century and Contemporary Tray Tables
Marble, Steel
1930s Art Deco Vintage Tray Tables
Glass, Wood
20th Century British British Colonial Tray Tables
Brass
Mid-19th Century British Antique Tray Tables
Enamel, Tin
1880s Victorian Antique Tray Tables
Lacquer
Early 20th Century English Tray Tables
Wood
19th Century English Georgian Antique Tray Tables
Mahogany
Mid-20th Century Italian Art Nouveau Tray Tables
Wood
20th Century English Regency Tray Tables
Metal, Silver
Mid-20th Century Moroccan Moorish Tray Tables
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Tray Tables
Brass
19th Century French Empire Antique Tray Tables
Brass
1930s Italian Art Deco Vintage Tray Tables
Brass, Copper
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.