Tray Tables
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Canvas, Walnut
Mid-19th Century English Victorian Antique Tray Tables
Wood
1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Brass
2010s Indian Tray Tables
Iron
2010s Italian Modern Tray Tables
Brass
Early 19th Century English George III Antique Tray Tables
Mahogany
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Tray Tables
Brass
1930s Art Deco Vintage Tray Tables
Glass, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Philippine Art Deco Tray Tables
Brass
19th Century English Antique Tray Tables
Brass
1970s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Teak
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Bamboo
1850s English Victorian Antique Tray Tables
Paper
1970s French Vintage Tray Tables
Brass
1960s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Steel
Mid-20th Century Tray Tables
Metal, Aluminum, Brass
20th Century Chinese Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Brass
19th Century German Chinoiserie Antique Tray Tables
Brass
Late 20th Century Organic Modern Tray Tables
Grasscloth, Reed, Rattan
2010s Italian Tray Tables
Travertine
21st Century and Contemporary Philippine Art Deco Tray Tables
Brass
1920s French Vintage Tray Tables
Brass
Mid-20th Century Thai Country Tray Tables
Rattan
2010s Italian Tray Tables
Marble
Early 20th Century Indian Anglo-Indian Tray Tables
Brass
20th Century Tray Tables
Wicker
21st Century and Contemporary Philippine Art Deco Tray Tables
Brass
Mid-20th Century American American Classical Tray Tables
Mahogany
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Wrought Iron
21st Century and Contemporary Philippine Art Deco Tray Tables
Brass
2010s Danish Post-Modern Tray Tables
Crystal
21st Century and Contemporary Tray Tables
Marble, Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Indonesian Modern Tray Tables
Bronze
20th Century Art Deco Tray Tables
Chrome
Mid-20th Century Unknown Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Bone, Glass, Teak
21st Century and Contemporary Philippine Art Deco Tray Tables
Brass
1950s Italian Vintage Tray Tables
Formica, Beech
2010s Italian Tray Tables
Travertine
21st Century and Contemporary Philippine Art Deco Tray Tables
Brass
1950s French Victorian Vintage Tray Tables
Wood
Mid-19th Century English Regency Antique Tray Tables
Paper
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Tray Tables
Chrome
21st Century and Contemporary Philippine Art Deco Tray Tables
Quartz, Brass
1950s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Metal, Brass, Wrought Iron
20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Metal, Nickel
1890s English Edwardian Antique Tray Tables
Mahogany, Satinwood
21st Century and Contemporary Philippine Art Deco Tray Tables
Brass
1960s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Tray Tables
Plywood
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Tray Tables
Teak
21st Century and Contemporary Philippine Art Deco Tray Tables
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Philippine Art Deco Tray Tables
Brass
Mid-20th Century Dutch Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Metal, Chrome
2010s Italian Modern Tray Tables
Leather, Walnut
1830s English Regency Antique Tray Tables
Mahogany
19th Century Unknown Moorish Antique Tray Tables
Brass
Early 20th Century French Tray Tables
Brass, Chrome
Mid-19th Century British Antique Tray Tables
Enamel, Tin
21st Century and Contemporary Philippine Art Deco Tray Tables
Brass
Mid-20th Century American Victorian 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.