Tray Tables
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Brass
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Brass
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Tray Tables
Wood
1960s Italian Vintage Tray Tables
Aluminum
1950s Italian Vintage Tray Tables
Formica, Beech
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Canvas, Walnut
1960s Vintage Tray Tables
Hardwood
Late 20th Century Hollywood Regency Tray Tables
Bamboo, Wood
1970s Slovak Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Stainless Steel
Early 20th Century Asian Islamic Tray Tables
Brass
1990s Italian Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Metal
20th Century American Hollywood Regency Tray Tables
Lucite, Faux Leather
20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Ash
1940s Italian Bauhaus Vintage Tray Tables
Metal
Late 20th Century Campaign Tray Tables
Mahogany
Early 20th Century Indian Anglo-Indian Tray Tables
Brass
Early 20th Century Danish Neoclassical Tray Tables
Ash, Walnut
Mid-20th Century Moroccan Moorish Tray Tables
Brass
1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Teak
Mid-20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Brass
Mid-20th Century Tray Tables
Metal, Brass, Aluminum
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Metal
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Metal, Aluminum
1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Teak
Early 20th Century French Tray Tables
Brass, Chrome
20th Century French Tray Tables
Tôle
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Wood
Late 20th Century Organic Modern Tray Tables
Grasscloth, Reed, Rattan
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Brass
1930s Chinoiserie Vintage Tray Tables
Wood
1930s American Art Deco Vintage Tray Tables
Chrome
20th Century Asian Tray Tables
Metal, Brass
Late 20th Century English Tray Tables
Brass
1970s Chinese Hollywood Regency Vintage Tray Tables
Wicker
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Walnut
20th Century American Hollywood Regency Tray Tables
Brass
1930s Art Deco Vintage Tray Tables
Glass, Wood
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Tray Tables
Brass
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Murano Glass
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Brass
20th Century Italian French Provincial Tray Tables
Metal
Mid-20th Century Moroccan Moorish Tray Tables
Brass
1970s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Wood
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Brass
Mid-20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Tray Tables
Metal, Tôle
Mid-20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Tray Tables
Metal
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Tray Tables
Teak
20th Century Chinoiserie Tray Tables
Wood
Early 20th Century Indian Anglo-Indian Tray Tables
Brass, Copper
1910s English Edwardian Vintage Tray Tables
Oak
Early 20th Century French Tray Tables
Marble, Brass
Late 20th Century Italian Space Age Tray Tables
Plastic
20th Century English Regency Tray Tables
Metal, Silver
Mid-20th Century Italian French Provincial Tray Tables
Bamboo, Wicker, Rattan
Early 20th Century English Edwardian Tray Tables
Other
Mid-20th Century Indian Anglo-Indian Tray Tables
Brass
Early 20th Century English Edwardian Tray Tables
Brass
1950s Argentine Hollywood Regency Vintage Tray Tables
Bronze
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.