Tray Tables
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Plastic
21st Century and Contemporary Philippine Art Deco Tray Tables
Brass
Early 20th Century English Edwardian Tray Tables
Brass
1960s Vintage Tray Tables
Hardwood
2010s Japanese Tribal Tray Tables
Wood
2010s Italian Tray Tables
Leather, Wenge
Mid-20th Century Tray Tables
Metal, Brass, Aluminum
1930s American Art Deco Vintage Tray Tables
Chrome
Mid-20th Century Italian French Provincial Tray Tables
Bamboo, Wicker, Rattan
21st Century and Contemporary Philippine Art Deco Tray Tables
Brass
2010s South African Modern Tray Tables
Brass
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Tray Tables
Metal, Brass
1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Teak
1890s French Antique Tray Tables
Walnut
Early 19th Century English Early Victorian Antique Tray Tables
Mahogany
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Tray Tables
Chrome
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Tray Tables
Chrome
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Brass
Early 1900s French Art Nouveau Antique Tray Tables
Mahogany
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Metal
20th Century English Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Brass
1970s Italian Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Chrome, Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Modern Tray Tables
Leather
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Teak
21st Century and Contemporary Philippine Art Deco Tray Tables
Brass
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Metal
Mid-19th Century British Antique Tray Tables
Enamel, Tin
1930s Italian Vintage Tray Tables
Mirror
20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Metal, Nickel
21st Century and Contemporary Philippine Art Deco Tray Tables
Wood, Shagreen Stingray
Early 1900s English Arts and Crafts Antique Tray Tables
Copper
19th Century Gustavian Antique Tray Tables
Pine, Paint
Mid-20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Brass
Early 20th Century Moroccan Islamic Tray Tables
Copper, Brass
20th Century Tray Tables
1950s Argentine Hollywood Regency Vintage Tray Tables
Bronze
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Tray Tables
Chrome
21st Century and Contemporary Philippine Art Deco Tray Tables
Quartz, Brass
Early 20th Century Turkish Moorish Tray Tables
Copper
20th Century Tray Tables
Wicker
1930s British Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Plywood
Mid-20th Century Dutch Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Metal, Chrome
1960s Danish Islamic Vintage Tray Tables
Brass, Bronze
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Teak
2010s Italian Modern Tray Tables
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Tray Tables
Boxwood
1950s Norwegian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Wood, Teak
Late 19th Century Victorian Antique Tray Tables
Metal
Mid-20th Century American American Classical Tray Tables
Mahogany
1950s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Metal, Brass, Wrought Iron
1970s Italian Vintage Tray Tables
Steel
20th Century British British Colonial Tray Tables
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Philippine Art Deco Tray Tables
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Philippine Art Deco Tray Tables
Brass
20th Century Italian French Provincial Tray Tables
Metal
20th Century German Tray Tables
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Tray Tables
Chrome
Mid-20th Century Moorish Tray Tables
Brass
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.