Tray Tables
1930s Italian Vintage Tray Tables
Mirror
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Teak
2010s Italian Modern Tray Tables
Leather
Late 19th Century French Antique Tray Tables
Paper
1930s Chinoiserie Vintage Tray Tables
Wood
1890s French Antique Tray Tables
Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Tray Tables
Brass
Mid-20th Century Tray Tables
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Philippine Art Deco Tray Tables
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Tray Tables
Brass
1950s French Victorian Vintage Tray Tables
Wood
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Tray Tables
Wood
2010s Italian Tray Tables
Leather
Mid-19th Century British Antique Tray Tables
Mother-of-Pearl, Paper
Early 20th Century French Art Nouveau Tray Tables
Bronze
21st Century and Contemporary Philippine Art Deco Tray Tables
Brass
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Philippine Art Deco Tray Tables
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Indonesian Modern Tray Tables
Bronze
Mid-20th Century Indian Anglo-Indian Tray Tables
Brass, Copper
20th Century Philippine British Colonial Tray Tables
Bamboo
1970s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Philippine Art Deco Tray Tables
Brass
Early 20th Century British Tray Tables
Silver Plate
1940s Finnish Vintage Tray Tables
Brass
1960s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Metal
2010s Italian Minimalist Tray Tables
Marble
Mid-20th Century Unknown Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Wood
1930s Queen Anne Vintage Tray Tables
Walnut
Mid-19th Century British Antique Tray Tables
Enamel, Tin
1960s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Teak
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Bamboo, Wicker, Glass, Wood
1950s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Metal, Brass, Wrought Iron
Early 1900s British Edwardian Antique Tray Tables
Wood
Mid-20th Century Tray Tables
Metal, Aluminum, Brass
Early 20th Century Indian Islamic Tray Tables
Metal, Bronze, Copper
2010s Italian Tray Tables
Travertine
Early 20th Century English Tray Tables
Mahogany
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Tray Tables
Stainless Steel
Early 20th Century Moroccan Islamic Tray Tables
Brass
Mid-18th Century Italian Baroque Antique Tray Tables
Wood
1830s English Antique Tray Tables
Hardwood, Paint
20th Century American Tray Tables
Cotton, Silk, Bamboo
Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Tray Tables
Rosewood, Lacquer
1950s Norwegian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Oak, Teak
Early 20th Century Indian Anglo-Indian Tray Tables
Brass
Early 20th Century English Tray Tables
Wood
20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Ash
2010s Italian Tray Tables
Marble
1980s American Vintage Tray Tables
Brass
1940s French Vintage Tray Tables
19th Century English Late Victorian Antique Tray Tables
Mahogany
2010s American Other Tray Tables
Metal
Late 19th Century French Antique Tray Tables
Paper
2010s Italian Tray Tables
Marble
Late 19th Century Moroccan Moorish Antique Tray Tables
Wood
1960s Vintage Tray Tables
Hardwood
21st Century and Contemporary Philippine Art Deco Tray Tables
Quartz, Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Tray Tables
Stainless Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Tray Tables
Metal
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.