Tray Tables
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Tray Tables
Metal
Mid-19th Century English Georgian Antique Tray Tables
Mahogany, Oak
2010s Italian Modern Tray Tables
Leather, Walnut
Mid-20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Teak
21st Century and Contemporary Philippine Art Deco Tray Tables
Brass
Late 19th Century Swedish Rustic Antique Tray Tables
Pine, Paint
1960s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Steel
1880s Dutch Napoleon III Antique Tray Tables
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Tray Tables
Marble, Steel
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Wrought Iron
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Bamboo
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Brass
Mid-19th Century British Antique Tray Tables
Enamel, Tin
20th Century British Neoclassical Revival Tray Tables
Wood, Paint
Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Tray Tables
Bronze
21st Century and Contemporary Philippine Art Deco Tray Tables
Brass
Early 19th Century English George III Antique Tray Tables
Mahogany
Late 20th Century Tray Tables
Iron
Mid-20th Century North American Hollywood Regency Tray Tables
Wrought Iron
Mid-20th Century American Tray Tables
Mahogany
1950s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Metal, Brass, Wrought Iron
2010s English Tray Tables
Wood, Lacquer
Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Tray Tables
Rosewood, Lacquer
Late 20th Century Hong Kong Chinese Export Tray Tables
Bamboo, Cane, Reed
20th Century Tray Tables
Wood, Mahogany, Paint
1890s English British Colonial Antique Tray Tables
Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary Tray Tables
Marble, Steel
Mid-20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Tray Tables
Tôle
1940s Italian Vintage Tray Tables
Brass
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Metal, Brass
19th Century French Antique Tray Tables
Metal
Late 19th Century European Black Forest Antique Tray Tables
Oak
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Tray Tables
Stainless Steel
Early 20th Century French Louis XVI Tray Tables
Brass, Bronze, Ormolu
Mid-20th Century Moroccan Moorish Tray Tables
Wood
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Indonesian Modern Tray Tables
Bronze
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Tray Tables
Teak
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Canvas, Walnut
2010s Italian Modern Tray Tables
Brass
1980s Italian Post-Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Chrome
Mid-20th Century American American Classical Tray Tables
Mahogany
20th Century Tray Tables
Silver Plate
Mid-20th Century Unknown Hollywood Regency Tray Tables
Brass
Mid-19th Century Victorian Antique Tray Tables
Mahogany
21st Century and Contemporary Philippine Art Deco Tray Tables
Brass
Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Plastic
1920s Vintage Tray Tables
Wood
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Brass
19th Century English Edwardian Antique Tray Tables
Satinwood
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Tray Tables
Copper
21st Century and Contemporary Philippine Art Deco Tray Tables
Brass
Mid-20th Century French Campaign Tray Tables
Brass, Steel
2010s French Scandinavian Modern Tray Tables
Ash
19th Century French Antique Tray Tables
Fruitwood
Early 1900s British Edwardian Antique Tray Tables
Wood
1860s English High Victorian Antique Tray Tables
Satinwood
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Brass
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export 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.





