Tray Tables
1990s American Modern Tray Tables
Wicker
Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Chrome
Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Tray Tables
Pine
1990s Unknown Post-Modern Tray Tables
Glass, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Philippine Art Deco Tray Tables
Brass
20th Century American Tray Tables
Iron
21st Century and Contemporary Tray Tables
Marble, Steel
Early 19th Century English Early Victorian Antique Tray Tables
Mahogany
1960s Vintage Tray Tables
Hardwood
19th Century English Antique Tray Tables
Mahogany
20th Century Tray Tables
Silver Plate
Early 19th Century English George III Antique Tray Tables
Mahogany
20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Tray Tables
Rosewood
21st Century and Contemporary Tray Tables
Marble, Steel
20th Century American Tray Tables
Cotton, Silk, Bamboo
19th Century English William IV Antique Tray Tables
Fabric, Wood, Mahogany
21st Century and Contemporary Tray Tables
Marble, Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Philippine Art Deco Tray Tables
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Philippine Art Deco Tray Tables
Brass
1950s Norwegian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Oak, Teak
Early 20th Century Indian Anglo-Indian Tray Tables
Brass
19th Century English Victorian Antique Tray Tables
Lacquer
20th Century American Hollywood Regency Tray Tables
Lucite, Fabric
21st Century and Contemporary Philippine Art Deco Tray Tables
Brass
1950s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Metal, Brass, Wrought Iron
19th Century German Chinoiserie Antique Tray Tables
Brass
19th Century French Antique Tray Tables
Metal
Late 20th Century British Organic Modern Tray Tables
Composition, Steel
2010s Italian Modern Tray Tables
Leather, Wood
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Metal, Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Philippine Art Deco Tray Tables
Brass
Late 20th Century American Modern Tray Tables
Copper, Iron
Mid-20th Century Spanish Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Philippine Art Deco Tray Tables
Brass
1960s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Brass
Mid-20th Century Thai Country Tray Tables
Rattan
1830s English Antique Tray Tables
Other
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Philippine Art Deco Tray Tables
Brass
19th Century Italian Antique Tray Tables
Paint, Paper
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Tray Tables
Plastic
21st Century and Contemporary Philippine Art Deco Tray Tables
Brass
Early 20th Century French Art Nouveau Tray Tables
Bronze
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Brass
2010s Tray Tables
Copper
Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Tray Tables
Bronze
20th Century French Tray Tables
Tôle
21st Century and Contemporary Philippine Art Deco Tray Tables
Brass
1940s French Vintage Tray Tables
Early 20th Century French Art Deco Tray Tables
Chrome
20th Century German Tray Tables
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Philippine Art Deco Tray Tables
Brass
Mid-20th Century Italian Art Deco Tray Tables
Metal
19th Century English Georgian Antique Tray Tables
Mahogany
1940s American Art Deco Vintage Tray Tables
Metal, Nickel
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Brass
Mid-20th Century Indian Anglo-Indian Tray Tables
Bone, Hardwood
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Tray Tables
Brass, Bronze, Nickel
1890s English Edwardian Antique Tray Tables
Mahogany, Satinwood
Early 20th Century Danish Neoclassical Tray Tables
Ash, Walnut
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.