Tray Tables
1950s American Vintage Tray Tables
Brass
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Wood
Mid-20th Century Thai Country Tray Tables
Rattan
1990s Unknown Post-Modern Tray Tables
Glass, Wood
1950s Italian Vintage Tray Tables
Metal
Mid-20th Century French Campaign Tray Tables
Brass, Steel
1960s Danish Vintage Tray Tables
Oak, Teak
Early 20th Century Czech Art Deco Tray Tables
Chrome
1930s French Art Deco Vintage Tray Tables
Chrome
20th Century British Art Deco Tray Tables
Silver
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Teak
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Rosewood
Late 20th Century Tray Tables
Iron
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Walnut, Wood
1960s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Metal
20th Century English Art Deco Tray Tables
Oak
1950s American Baroque Revival Vintage Tray Tables
Brass
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Formica, Oak
20th Century Moroccan British Colonial Tray Tables
Brass
1990s American Modern Tray Tables
Wicker
20th Century Chinoiserie Tray Tables
Metal
1940s American Hollywood Regency Vintage Tray Tables
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Teak
1950s American Vintage Tray Tables
Oak
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Brass
20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Tray Tables
Brass
1960s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Brass
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Aluminum
Late 20th Century Italian Space Age Tray Tables
Plastic
Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Chrome
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Teak
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Brass
Early 20th Century Asian Chinoiserie Tray Tables
Bamboo, Wood, Lacquer
Early 1900s Moroccan Late Victorian Antique Tray Tables
Brass
1920s Japanese Taisho Vintage Tray Tables
Lacquer
1920s Art Deco Vintage Tray Tables
Silver Plate
1920s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Birch
Mid-20th Century North American Hollywood Regency Tray Tables
Wrought Iron
1960s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Iron
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Steel, Chrome
1980s Vintage Tray Tables
Brass, Metal
Early 1900s German Art Nouveau Antique Tray Tables
Metal
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Silver
Mid-20th Century American Regency Tray Tables
Wood
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Aluminum
1990s Italian Post-Modern Tray Tables
Aluminum, Iron
Early 1900s Japanese Japonisme Antique Tray Tables
Bamboo, Lacquer
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Brass
Mid-20th Century French Tray Tables
Ormolu
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Tray Tables
Metal
Early 1900s Chinoiserie Antique Tray Tables
Padouk
Mid-20th Century Chinese Hollywood Regency Tray Tables
Brass
Early 1900s French Art Nouveau Antique Tray Tables
Rosewood
1960s Chinoiserie Vintage Tray Tables
Bamboo
1960s Danish Vintage Tray Tables
Teak
Early 20th Century Lebanese Islamic Tray Tables
Brass
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Rosewood
Mid-20th Century Italian Hollywood Regency Tray Tables
Fiberglass, Wood
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.