Custom Palm Springs Tray Table by Foley & Cox, Hand-Crafted Wood, USA
By Foley & Cox
Located in New York, NY
Elegant side table with removable serving tray. Wood base with bead detail and tapered legs available in medium mahogany. Tray available in leather or parchment. (PARCHMENT TOP chan...
Leather, Wood, Parchment Paper
$2,126 / item
White Bauhaus Trolley by Kristina Dam Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Bauhaus trolley by Kristina Dam Studio Materials: White powder-coated steel and glass. Also available in different colors. Dimensions: 35 x 72 x H 77cm...
Steel
$4,449 / item
Black Happy Hour Trolley by Alfredo Häberli
Located in Geneve, CH
Black Happy Hour trolley by Alfredo Häberli Dimensions: D 43 x W 91 x H 73 cm Materials: Chromed iron structure. Heat-shaped ABS+PMMA plastic trays, available painted with polyure...
Iron
$515 / item
Constantin Centerpiece by Colé Italia
Located in Geneve, CH
Constantin Centerpiece by Colé Italia with Agustina Bottoni Dimensions: H.10/13 Ø 28 cm Materials: In solid brushed Wood: oak stained black base; natural...
Oak
$2,099 / item
Large Vieno Bottle by Antrei Hartikainen
Located in Geneve, CH
Large Vieno bottle by Antrei Hartikainen Materials: Glass, linden wood, black stain & natural oil wax Dimensions: Width 20cm Depth 20cm Height 28cm ...
Glass, Wood
$1,725 / item
Medium Vieno Bottle by Antrei Hartikainen
Located in Geneve, CH
Medium Vieno bottle by Antrei Hartikainen. Materials: Glass, linden wood, black stain & natural oil wax Dimensions: Width 14 cm Depth 14 cm Height 2...
Glass, Wood
Douglas Fanning, Geometry Series, Hillock, Cocktail Table, US, 2020
Located in New York, NY
Created in collaboration with Nick Alan King. This geometric side table, an industrial arrangement of right angles in bronze and cold blackened steel, is adorned by a playful top re...
Bronze, Steel
Douglas Fanning, Abstract Side Table, United States, 2019
Located in New York, NY
This table's amorphous, cast bronze top seems to be separating into three pieces as the earth upon a fault. It rests atop two rectangular, blackened steel legs, one wider than the ot...
Bronze, Steel
Chrome Iron and Glass Serving Tray Table, France, Mid-20th Century
Located in Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires
Chrome iron and glass serving tray table. France, mid-20th century. With glass tray.
Chrome, Iron
Mid-19th Century French Folding Presentation Table
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This presentation table boasts an industrial yet delicate appeal with its foldable X-shaped metal base and gray painted wooden top. Originally used for displaying models or sculpture...
Wood
Butlers Tray by Svend Langekilde for Langkilde Mobler
By Langkilde Møbler, Svend Langkilde
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A finely crafted tray table in rich rosewood with a removable tray top. Brass hinged edges flip up to convert to handles.
Brass
French 2nd Empire Gilded Marble Tray Table
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A French, 2nd Empire, gilded table base featuring cast eagles, holding a beautiful Nero Portoro marble tray.
Marble, Metal
Rollercoaster Medium Coffee Table Stainless Steel Gold-Plated
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
An infinite spiral created in sleek stainless steel. Available in stainless steel, copper and luxurious 24-karat gold finishes.
Stainless Steel, Gold
Turned Ebony and Bone Trolley, France, Early 20th Century
Located in Isle Sur La Sorgue, Vaucluse
A very finely turned ebony side table or bar cart on wheels, with bone inlays and two glass tiers.
Wood
Price Upon Request
Stéphane Parmentier, "Malpensa", Tray Table, France, 2015
Located in New York, NY
A marble and Emperor lava tray table from Stephane Parmentier’s Mercury collection Limited edition of 12 + 3 Third image presenting it next to a ...
Lava, Marble
Price Upon Request
Stephane Parmentier, "Linate", Tray Table, France, 2015
Located in New York, NY
A marble and Emperor lava tray table from Stephane Parmentier's Mercury collection Limited edition of 12 + 3 Third image presenting it next to a ...
Lava, Marble
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.