Tray Tables
21st Century and Contemporary Philippine Art Deco Tray Tables
Brass
20th Century Chinoiserie Tray Tables
Wood
Late 19th Century French Art Nouveau Antique Tray Tables
Wrought Iron
Mid-19th Century British Antique Tray Tables
Enamel, Tin
Early 20th Century British Tray Tables
Silver Plate
Late 20th Century Hollywood Regency Tray Tables
Bamboo, Wood
Late 19th Century Victorian Antique Tray Tables
Brass
1850s English Victorian Antique Tray Tables
Paper
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Tray Tables
Teak
Early 20th Century Indian Anglo-Indian Tray Tables
Brass
Mid-20th Century Hong Kong Chinoiserie Tray Tables
Brass
1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Brass
Early 20th Century Spanish Moorish Tray Tables
Brass
Late 20th Century Campaign Tray Tables
Mahogany
2010s Italian Minimalist Tray Tables
Marble
Late 18th Century English Georgian Antique Tray Tables
Mahogany
21st Century and Contemporary Philippine Art Deco Tray Tables
Brass
Mid-20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Tray Tables
Metal
1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Teak
20th Century American Hollywood Regency Tray Tables
Brass
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Tray Tables
Teak
21st Century and Contemporary Philippine Art Deco Tray Tables
Brass
1970s Slovak Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Stainless Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Tray Tables
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Philippine Art Deco Tray Tables
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Philippine Art Deco Tray Tables
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Tray Tables
Brass
2010s Italian Tray Tables
Leather
19th Century American Anglo-Japanese Antique Tray Tables
Mahogany
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary Philippine Art Deco Tray Tables
Brass
1780s Swedish Gustavian Antique Tray Tables
Pine
Mid-19th Century English Victorian Antique Tray Tables
Wood
Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Tray Tables
Rosewood, Lacquer
Late 19th Century French Art Nouveau Antique Tray Tables
Oak
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Tray Tables
Wood
Early 20th Century Finnish Scandinavian Modern Tray Tables
Metal, Iron
1940s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Walnut
1970s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Tray Tables
Stainless Steel
Mid-19th Century British Antique Tray Tables
Enamel, Tin
21st Century and Contemporary Indonesian Modern Tray Tables
Bronze
Mid-20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Tray Tables
Metal, Tôle
19th Century English Antique Tray Tables
Brass
Early 19th Century British Antique Tray Tables
Enamel, Tin
19th Century Unknown Moorish Antique Tray Tables
Brass
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Canvas, Walnut
Early 20th Century Indian Anglo-Indian Tray Tables
Brass, Copper
Mid-20th Century Campaign Tray Tables
Brass
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Mercury Glass, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Tray Tables
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Philippine Art Deco Tray Tables
Brass
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Murano Glass
1930s American Art Deco Vintage Tray Tables
Mirror
Late 20th Century American Modern Tray Tables
Copper, Iron
2010s Italian Modern Tray Tables
Sheet Metal
20th Century American Tray Tables
Iron
Late 19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Tray Tables
Tôle
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.