Tray Tables
Early 20th Century French Art Nouveau Tray Tables
Bronze
20th Century British British Colonial Tray Tables
Brass
Mid-20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Tray Tables
Metal, Tôle
1890s English Regency Antique Tray Tables
Mahogany
19th Century Persian Islamic Antique Tray Tables
Brass
Mid-19th Century French Antique Tray Tables
Walnut
Early 19th Century English Regency Antique Tray Tables
Brass
Early 20th Century Moroccan Islamic Tray Tables
Copper, Brass
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Teak
1960s Vintage Tray Tables
Brass
1940s Finnish Vintage Tray Tables
Brass
Late 19th Century English Chinoiserie Antique Tray Tables
Lacquer
Late 20th Century Indian Agra Tray Tables
Marble
1960s Danish Islamic Vintage Tray Tables
Brass, Bronze
Early 1900s English Arts and Crafts Antique Tray Tables
Pewter
1970s Japanese Vintage Tray Tables
Plastic
21st Century and Contemporary Indonesian Modern Tray Tables
Bronze
Mid-20th Century Moroccan Moorish Tray Tables
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Philippine Art Deco Tray Tables
Brass
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Wood
Early 20th Century English Tray Tables
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary German Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Philippine Art Deco Tray Tables
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Tray Tables
Plywood
Mid-19th Century British Antique Tray Tables
Mother-of-Pearl, Paper
2010s Thai Modern Tray Tables
Leather, Wood
Early 1900s French Art Nouveau Antique Tray Tables
Mahogany
1660s Italian Mid-Century Modern Antique Tray Tables
Brass
Late 19th Century French Antique Tray Tables
Paper
Late 20th Century Hong Kong Chinese Export Tray Tables
Bamboo, Cane, Reed
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Brass, Bronze
Late 19th Century French Art Nouveau Antique Tray Tables
Hardwood
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Tray Tables
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Philippine Art Deco Tray Tables
Brass
2010s Italian Modern Tray Tables
Leather, Wood
Late 19th Century Victorian Antique Tray Tables
Metal
1960s Danish Vintage Tray Tables
Oak, Teak
Mid-20th Century Moroccan Moorish Tray Tables
Brass
Early 20th Century Spanish Moorish Tray Tables
Brass
Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Tray Tables
Pine
Mid-20th Century British Regency Tray Tables
Wood, Paint
20th Century Asian Moorish Tray Tables
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Philippine Art Deco Tray Tables
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Philippine Art Deco Tray Tables
Brass
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Bamboo, Wicker, Glass, Wood
Late 19th Century British Victorian Antique Tray Tables
Silver
1890s French Antique Tray Tables
Walnut
Late 19th Century Victorian Antique Tray Tables
Brass
20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Glass
Late 18th Century English George III Antique Tray Tables
Mahogany
Early 20th Century British Tray Tables
Silver Plate
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Tray Tables
Brass
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Tray Tables
Metal
Mid-19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Tray Tables
Metal
1970s Italian Space Age Vintage Tray Tables
Plastic, Fiberglass
Mid-20th Century French Colonial Revival Tray Tables
Wicker, Cane, Rattan, Wood
1960s Danish Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Brass
19th Century British Victorian Antique Tray Tables
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Philippine Art Deco Tray Tables
Quartz, Brass
20th Century American Hollywood Regency Tray Tables
Lucite, Faux Leather
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.