Tray Tables
1950s Italian Hollywood Regency Vintage Tray Tables
Metal
1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Brass
Early 20th Century Asian Moorish Tray Tables
Metal
1980s Italian Post-Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Chrome
Mid-20th Century French Tray Tables
Glass, Wood
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Brass
1960s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Teak
1970s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Rosewood
20th Century Tray Tables
Wood, Mahogany, Paint
20th Century American Hollywood Regency Tray Tables
Lucite, Fabric
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Metal
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Wrought Iron
1970s Italian Space Age Vintage Tray Tables
Plastic
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Brass, Metal
Mid-20th Century American George III Tray Tables
Metal
1970s British Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Chrome
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Plastic, Laminate, Wood, Beech
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Teak
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Walnut
1970s American Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Wicker
Mid-20th Century Italian Art Deco Tray Tables
Metal
Mid-20th Century Spanish Hollywood Regency Tray Tables
Lucite, Wood
20th Century Tray Tables
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Wood
Late 20th Century Spanish Tray Tables
Wood
1940s Italian Vintage Tray Tables
Brass
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Brass
Mid-20th Century American Tray Tables
Mahogany
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Brass
1930s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Canvas, Ash
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Brass
20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Plastic
1930s British Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Plywood
20th Century Chinoiserie Tray Tables
Wood
1960s Vintage Tray Tables
Brass
Early 1900s French Art Nouveau Antique Tray Tables
Mahogany
1930s Italian Art Deco Vintage Tray Tables
Mirror, Wood
1970s Vintage Tray Tables
Metal
Early 20th Century French Tray Tables
Ormolu
Mid-20th Century American Regency Tray Tables
Wood
1960s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Elm
Mid-20th Century Unknown Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Wood
Early 20th Century French Tray Tables
Wood
1920s Art Deco Vintage Tray Tables
Walnut
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Brass
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Metal, Brass
1970s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Brass
Late 20th Century Italian Hollywood Regency Tray Tables
Brass
20th Century British Regency Tray Tables
Lacquer
1930s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Birch
1990s American Regency Tray Tables
Brass
Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Tray Tables
Oak, Teak
1970s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Metal, Chrome
20th Century Philippine British Colonial Tray Tables
Rattan
Mid-20th Century Italian Art Deco Tray Tables
Aluminum, Chrome
1920s Art Deco Vintage Tray Tables
Brass
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Alabaster
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.