Tray Tables
Late 19th Century British Chinoiserie Antique Tray Tables
Bamboo, Wood
1940s American Hollywood Regency Vintage Tray Tables
Late 20th Century Tray Tables
Iron
21st Century and Contemporary Philippine Art Deco Tray Tables
Brass
Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Tray Tables
Rosewood, Lacquer
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Canvas, Walnut
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Steel
19th Century English Victorian Antique Tray Tables
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Tray Tables
Chrome
2010s Italian Tray Tables
Travertine
21st Century and Contemporary Philippine Art Deco Tray Tables
Brass
1970s Italian Vintage Tray Tables
Steel
1970s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Brass
1960s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Teak
19th Century Unknown Moorish Antique Tray Tables
Brass
Mid-20th Century French Brutalist Tray Tables
Iron
20th Century American Hollywood Regency Tray Tables
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Tray Tables
Marble, Steel
1880s English Victorian Antique Tray Tables
Satinwood
21st Century and Contemporary Philippine Art Deco Tray Tables
Brass
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Tray Tables
Chrome
2010s Italian Tray Tables
Marble
1850s English Victorian Antique Tray Tables
Paper
20th Century Tray Tables
Silver Plate
2010s Italian Modern Tray Tables
Metal
Mid-20th Century French Japonisme Tray Tables
Wood
1980s Italian Post-Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Chrome
1970s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Philippine Art Deco Tray Tables
Brass
Late 19th Century French Art Nouveau Antique Tray Tables
Oak
1830s English Antique Tray Tables
Paper, Wood, Paint
21st Century and Contemporary Philippine Art Deco Tray Tables
Brass
1950s British Campaign Vintage Tray Tables
Brass
Early 1900s French Art Nouveau Antique Tray Tables
Mahogany
19th Century English Antique Tray Tables
Mahogany
Early 1900s Moroccan Late Victorian Antique Tray Tables
Brass
1970s American Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Wicker
21st Century and Contemporary Philippine Art Deco Tray Tables
Stainless Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Philippine Art Deco Tray Tables
Brass
Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Chrome
1980s American Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Wicker
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Aluminum
Late 18th Century Danish Rococo Antique Tray Tables
Brass
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Philippine Art Deco Tray Tables
Quartz, Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Philippine Art Deco Tray Tables
Brass
Mid-18th Century English Chippendale Antique Tray Tables
Mahogany
1910s English Edwardian Vintage Tray Tables
Oak
21st Century and Contemporary Philippine Art Deco Tray Tables
Brass
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Metal
1880s French Aesthetic Movement Antique Tray Tables
Bamboo, Wood
Mid-20th Century Thai Country Tray Tables
Rattan
1970s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Teak
2010s French Scandinavian Modern Tray Tables
Ash
2010s Italian Tray Tables
Leather
1950s Norwegian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Oak, Teak
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Tray Tables
Metal, 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.