Tray Tables
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Brass
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Teak
Early 20th Century French Tray Tables
Marble, Brass
1950s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Aluminum
2010s Italian Modern Tray Tables
Sheet Metal
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Wood
1960s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Wood
Mid-19th Century British Antique Tray Tables
Mother-of-Pearl, Paper
2010s Italian Modern Tray Tables
Leather, Walnut
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Philippine Art Deco Tray Tables
Brass
1920s French Vintage Tray Tables
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Philippine Art Deco Tray Tables
Brass
Early 1900s Antique Tray Tables
Silver Plate
21st Century and Contemporary Philippine Art Deco Tray Tables
Brass
2010s Indian Tray Tables
Iron
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Metal
1970s British Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Chrome
Mid-19th Century English Georgian Antique Tray Tables
Mahogany, Oak
2010s Italian Tray Tables
Leather, Wood
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Tray Tables
Brass
Early 1800s Georgian Antique Tray Tables
Mahogany
20th Century Art Deco Tray Tables
Chrome
1830s English Antique Tray Tables
Other
1830s English Regency Antique Tray Tables
Mahogany
2010s Italian Modern Tray Tables
Iron
1850s English William IV Antique Tray Tables
Mahogany
20th Century Asian Tray Tables
Metal, Brass
Early 19th Century English George III Antique Tray Tables
Brass
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Brass
Early 19th Century British Antique Tray Tables
Enamel, Tin
Late 20th Century Organic Modern Tray Tables
Grasscloth, Reed, Rattan
20th Century American Hollywood Regency Tray Tables
Lucite, Faux Leather
Early 20th Century English Edwardian Tray Tables
Other
21st Century and Contemporary Philippine Art Deco Tray Tables
Brass
2010s Italian Tray Tables
Marble
1960s Norwegian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Enamel
1910s English Edwardian Vintage Tray Tables
Oak
Mid-19th Century British Antique Tray Tables
Enamel, Tin
Early 19th Century English Antique Tray Tables
Wood, Paint, Paper
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Tray Tables
Brass
Early 20th Century European Arts and Crafts Tray Tables
Brass
2010s Italian Modern Tray Tables
Leather, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Tray Tables
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Philippine Art Deco Tray Tables
Brass
19th Century English Queen Anne Antique Tray Tables
Mahogany
Early 20th Century Moroccan Islamic Tray Tables
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Tray Tables
Metal
20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Tray Tables
Rosewood
Mid-19th Century British Antique Tray Tables
Enamel, Tin
20th Century Philippine British Colonial Tray Tables
Bamboo
21st Century and Contemporary Philippine Art Deco Tray Tables
Quartz, Brass
Mid-20th Century Italian Regency Tray Tables
Metal
Mid-20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Tray Tables
Tôle
Mid-20th Century French Japonisme Tray Tables
Wood
20th Century Tray Tables
Silver Plate
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Plastic, Laminate, Wood, Beech
2010s Italian Tray Tables
Leather
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.