Tray Tables
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Tray Tables
Chrome
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Tray Tables
Metal
1940s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Walnut
Early 20th Century French Tray Tables
Silver Plate, Brass
Early 2000s Italian Modern Tray Tables
Brass
2010s Italian Tray Tables
Leather, Walnut
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Murano Glass
Late 18th Century English Georgian Antique Tray Tables
Mahogany
1980s American Vintage Tray Tables
Brass
Late 19th Century Turkish Moorish Antique Tray Tables
Metal, Copper
Late 20th Century Tray Tables
Iron
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Tray Tables
Marble, Brass
19th Century French Antique Tray Tables
Silver Plate
1960s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Tray Tables
Brass
20th Century Chinoiserie Tray Tables
Wood
1970s Slovak Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Stainless Steel
Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Chrome
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Tray Tables
Metal
Late 18th Century English George III Antique Tray Tables
Mahogany
20th Century Italian French Provincial Tray Tables
Metal
Late 19th Century American Antique Tray Tables
Mahogany
20th Century Art Deco Tray Tables
Chrome
20th Century Asian Moorish Tray Tables
Brass
Mid-20th Century Italian Regency Tray Tables
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Indonesian Modern Tray Tables
Bronze
1830s English Regency Antique Tray Tables
Mahogany
21st Century and Contemporary Philippine Art Deco Tray Tables
Brass
20th Century Southeast Asian Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Brass
Early 20th Century French Tray Tables
Marble, Brass
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Rosewood
20th Century American Tray Tables
Cotton, Silk, Bamboo
20th Century Chinoiserie Tray Tables
Wood
Mid-20th Century French Campaign Tray Tables
Brass, Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Tray Tables
Oak
20th Century Asian Moorish Tray Tables
Brass
2010s Brazilian Minimalist Tray Tables
Wood
20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Tray Tables
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Philippine Art Deco Tray Tables
Brass
1990s American Regency Tray Tables
Brass
1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Brass
Late 20th Century British Organic Modern Tray Tables
Composition, Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Philippine Art Deco Tray Tables
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Philippine Art Deco Tray Tables
Quartz, Brass
Mid-20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Tray Tables
Metal
1950s British Campaign Vintage Tray Tables
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Philippine Art Deco Tray Tables
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Tray Tables
Brass
20th Century Chinese Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Tray Tables
Marble, Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Philippine Art Deco Tray Tables
Brass
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Wood, Hardwood
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Brass
20th Century American Hollywood Regency Tray Tables
Lucite, Faux Leather
Early 19th Century British Antique Tray Tables
Enamel, Tin
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Tray Tables
Chrome
20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Tray Tables
Rosewood
Late 20th Century Hollywood Regency Tray Tables
Bamboo, Wood
2010s Italian Modern Tray Tables
Leather, Wood
Mid-20th Century French Baroque 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.