Tray Tables
Early 1900s English Arts and Crafts Antique Tray Tables
Pewter
Early 20th Century Indian Islamic Tray Tables
Copper
Early 1900s English Arts and Crafts Antique Tray Tables
Copper
Early 20th Century Moroccan Islamic Tray Tables
Copper, Brass
Mid-20th Century American Queen Anne Tray Tables
Mahogany
20th Century Asian Tray Tables
Metal, Brass
Mid-19th Century British Antique Tray Tables
Enamel, Tin
19th Century Persian Islamic Antique Tray Tables
Brass
2010s Italian Modern Tray Tables
Leather, Wood
Late 20th Century Indian Agra Tray Tables
Marble
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Teak
Late 20th Century American Georgian Tray Tables
Faux Leather, Faux Bamboo
2010s Italian Modern Tray Tables
Leather
2010s Italian Modern Tray Tables
Brass
1890s English Regency Antique Tray Tables
Mahogany
20th Century Chinoiserie Tray Tables
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Philippine Art Deco Tray Tables
Brass
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Wood
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Murano Glass
Mid-19th Century French Antique Tray Tables
Walnut
Early 2000s American Tray Tables
Rattan, Mahogany
Mid-20th Century French Colonial Revival Tray Tables
Wicker, Cane, Rattan, Wood
19th Century English Victorian Antique Tray Tables
Wood
1960s Danish Islamic Vintage Tray Tables
Brass, Bronze
1970s Italian Vintage Tray Tables
Steel
Late 19th Century French Antique Tray Tables
Bronze
Late 19th Century English Chinoiserie Antique Tray Tables
Lacquer
Early 19th Century English Regency Antique Tray Tables
Brass
20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Glass
21st Century and Contemporary Philippine Art Deco Tray Tables
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Philippine Art Deco Tray Tables
Brass
1950s French Victorian Vintage Tray Tables
Wood
2010s Italian Tray Tables
Travertine
Mid-20th Century Italian French Provincial Tray Tables
Bamboo, Wicker, Rattan
Late 20th Century Hong Kong Chinese Export Tray Tables
Bamboo, Cane, Reed
20th Century Philippine British Colonial Tray Tables
Bamboo
Mid-20th Century Tray Tables
Brass
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Wood
Late 19th Century British Victorian Antique Tray Tables
Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Indonesian Modern Tray Tables
Bronze
Mid-19th Century British Antique Tray Tables
Enamel, Tin
Mid-20th Century Indian Anglo-Indian Tray Tables
Brass, Copper
21st Century and Contemporary Philippine Art Deco Tray Tables
Brass
Mid-19th Century English Georgian Antique Tray Tables
Mahogany, Oak
20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Glass
1960s Danish Vintage Tray Tables
Oak, Teak
Mid-20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Tray Tables
Metal, Tôle
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Tray Tables
Wood
Early 1900s French Art Nouveau Antique Tray Tables
Mahogany
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Brass
Early 20th Century Indian Islamic Tray Tables
Metal, Bronze, Copper
21st Century and Contemporary German Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Metal
Early 20th Century Moroccan Islamic Tray Tables
Brass
Early 20th Century Spanish Moorish Tray Tables
Brass
1960s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Teak
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Brass, Bronze
Mid-20th Century Tray Tables
Metal, Aluminum, Brass
Mid-19th Century British Antique Tray Tables
Enamel, Tin
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Tray Tables
Metal
2010s Thai Modern Tray Tables
Leather, Wood
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.