Tray Tables
1770s Swedish Rococo Antique Tray Tables
Wood, Faience
1770s Swedish Rococo Antique Tray Tables
Pine
1890s Antique Tray Tables
Brass
Late 19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Tray Tables
Metal, Tôle
Late 19th Century English Arts and Crafts Antique Tray Tables
Copper
Early 20th Century German Arts and Crafts Tray Tables
Metal, Brass, Copper, Wrought Iron
Mid-20th Century American American Colonial Tray Tables
Maple, Paint
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Wood
2010s Danish Post-Modern Tray Tables
Crystal
20th Century French Art Nouveau Tray Tables
Scagliola, Wood
Early 1900s Japanese Japonisme Antique Tray Tables
Bamboo, Lacquer
2010s Danish Scandinavian Modern Tray Tables
Stainless Steel
1830s Regency Antique Tray Tables
Walnut
19th Century Victorian Antique Tray Tables
Wood
Late 19th Century Asian Chinoiserie Antique Tray Tables
Wood
1990s Folk Art Tray Tables
Cedar
21st Century and Contemporary French Art Deco Tray Tables
Brass
1880s English Late Victorian Antique Tray Tables
Hardwood, Walnut
20th Century French Industrial Tray Tables
Metal
1880s Sheraton Antique Tray Tables
Walnut
Mid-20th Century Hong Kong Chinoiserie Tray Tables
Brass
1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Teak
1920s Chinoiserie Vintage Tray Tables
Lacquer
Early 20th Century Moroccan Islamic Tray Tables
Brass
20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Tray Tables
Teak
2010s Danish Scandinavian Modern Tray Tables
Stainless Steel
20th Century English Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Brass
1920s Vintage Tray Tables
Pewter
1850s English Early Victorian Antique Tray Tables
Fruitwood, Lacquer, Paper
20th Century German Tray Tables
Wood
20th Century Egyptian Egyptian Tray Tables
Brass
1950s Italian Vintage Tray Tables
Formica, Beech
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Tray Tables
Wood
Late 19th Century English Late Victorian Antique Tray Tables
Mother-of-Pearl, Wood, Paper
19th Century Antique Tray Tables
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary French Art Deco Tray Tables
Brass
20th Century Italian Tray Tables
Metal
Late 19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Tray Tables
Tôle
1960s Danish Islamic Vintage Tray Tables
Brass, Bronze
1950s Italian Vintage Tray Tables
Metal
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Rattan
Late 20th Century Indian Agra Tray Tables
Marble
2010s Italian Modern Tray Tables
Iron
1940s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Brass
Late 20th Century British Art Deco Tray Tables
Walnut, Burl
2010s Italian Modern Tray Tables
Copper
2010s Belgian Post-Modern Tray Tables
Ash
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Crystal, Brass
21st Century and Contemporary French Art Deco Tray Tables
Brass
19th Century English Victorian Antique Tray Tables
Faux Bamboo, Lacquer, Paper
Mid-20th Century Moroccan Moorish Tray Tables
Brass
20th Century English Arts and Crafts Tray Tables
Early 1900s French Art Nouveau Antique Tray Tables
Mahogany
2010s Italian Tray Tables
Leather, Walnut
Early 1900s French Art Nouveau Antique Tray Tables
Fruitwood, Walnut
1990s American Tray Tables
Faux Bamboo, Wood
1970s Vintage Tray Tables
Brass
1960s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Vintage 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.