Tray Tables
1840s English Early Victorian Antique Tray Tables
Faux Bamboo, Paper
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Tray Tables
Metal
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Brass
19th Century English Antique Tray Tables
Wood
19th Century British Victorian Antique Tray Tables
Brass
2010s Tray Tables
Copper
Late 20th Century American Modern Tray Tables
Copper, Iron
1950s French Victorian Vintage Tray Tables
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Philippine Art Deco Tray Tables
Brass
1960s Danish Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Brass
Mid-20th Century American American Classical Tray Tables
Mahogany
Mid-20th Century Unknown Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Tray Tables
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary American Chinoiserie Tray Tables
Wood
Early 20th Century European Edwardian Tray Tables
Burlap, Oak
Mid-20th Century Tray Tables
Brass
Mid-20th Century Unknown Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Bone, Glass, Teak
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Bamboo, Wicker, Glass, Wood
1920s French Vintage Tray Tables
Brass
Late 19th Century French Antique Tray Tables
Paper
Late 19th Century Chinese Qing Antique Tray Tables
Wood, Lacquer
Late 19th Century Moroccan Moorish Antique Tray Tables
Wood
Late 19th Century French Art Nouveau Antique Tray Tables
Hardwood
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Tray Tables
Brass
1940s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Walnut
Early 20th Century Czech Art Deco Tray Tables
Chrome
Mid-20th Century Moroccan Moorish Tray Tables
Brass
2010s Italian Tray Tables
Leather
20th Century Asian Moorish Tray Tables
Brass
Mid-20th Century American Tray Tables
Mahogany
Mid-19th Century British Antique Tray Tables
Enamel, Tin
20th Century Asian Tray Tables
Metal, Brass
1960s Norwegian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Enamel
21st Century and Contemporary Philippine Art Deco Tray Tables
Brass
2010s Italian Tray Tables
Marble
19th Century German Chinoiserie Antique Tray Tables
Brass
19th Century American George III Antique Tray Tables
Mahogany
Late 19th Century Victorian Antique Tray Tables
Metal
1970s French Vintage Tray Tables
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Tray Tables
Stainless Steel
1950s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Metal, Brass, Wrought Iron
19th Century English Late Victorian Antique Tray Tables
Mahogany
19th Century English Georgian Antique Tray Tables
Mahogany
Mid-19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Tray Tables
Metal
Early 1900s English Arts and Crafts Antique Tray Tables
Copper
Early 19th Century English Georgian Antique Tray Tables
Brass
1940s Finnish Vintage Tray Tables
Brass
Early 20th Century European Arts and Crafts Tray Tables
Brass
20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Tray Tables
Rosewood
1930s Art Deco Vintage Tray Tables
Glass, Wood
Late 19th Century English Antique Tray Tables
Mahogany
Mid-20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Tray Tables
Tôle
Mid-20th Century Italian Regency Tray Tables
Metal
1970s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Wood
Late 18th Century English George III Antique Tray Tables
Wood
Mid-19th Century English Georgian Antique Tray Tables
Mahogany, Oak
1970s Slovak Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Stainless Steel
Mid-20th Century Spanish Hollywood Regency Tray Tables
Lucite, 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.