Tray Tables
Early 20th Century European Edwardian Tray Tables
Burlap, Oak
1950s Norwegian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Oak, Teak
19th Century American George III Antique Tray Tables
Mahogany
1970s French Vintage Tray Tables
Brass
Early 19th Century English Regency Antique Tray Tables
Other
Mid-20th Century American Tray Tables
Mahogany
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Wrought Iron
2010s Italian Tray Tables
Travertine
Late 18th Century Danish Rococo Antique Tray Tables
Brass
2010s Italian Tray Tables
Leather, Walnut
1950s French Victorian Vintage Tray Tables
Wood
1930s Italian Art Deco Vintage Tray Tables
Mirror, Wood
19th Century French Antique Tray Tables
Fruitwood
Mid-20th Century Indian Anglo-Indian Tray Tables
Bone, Hardwood
Late 18th Century British Antique Tray Tables
Tin
Late 20th Century English Tray Tables
Brass
1960s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Tray Tables
Chrome
Early 19th Century English Georgian Antique Tray Tables
Mahogany
21st Century and Contemporary Philippine Art Deco Tray Tables
Brass
19th Century German Chinoiserie Antique Tray Tables
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Tray Tables
Paint, Beech
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Tray Tables
Chrome
Late 19th Century French Antique Tray Tables
Bronze
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Philippine Art Deco Tray Tables
Quartz, Brass
1970s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Teak
2010s Italian Tray Tables
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary Philippine Art Deco Tray Tables
Brass
1960s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Teak
Mid-19th Century Victorian Antique Tray Tables
Mahogany
19th Century English Antique Tray Tables
Mahogany
21st Century and Contemporary Philippine Art Deco Tray Tables
Brass
20th Century Spanish Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Brass
Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Tray Tables
Oak, Teak
Early 19th Century English Regency Antique Tray Tables
Faux Bamboo
Early 20th Century Asian Islamic Tray Tables
Brass
20th Century Philippine British Colonial Tray Tables
Rattan
Mid-20th Century Indian Anglo-Indian Tray Tables
Brass
1950s Italian Hollywood Regency Vintage Tray Tables
Metal
19th Century British Victorian Antique Tray Tables
Brass
Mid-20th Century American Victorian Tray Tables
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Philippine Art Deco Tray Tables
Stainless Steel
Mid-18th Century Swedish Rococo Antique Tray Tables
Wood, Paint
Mid-19th Century English Regency Antique Tray Tables
Rosewood
Mid-20th Century French Tray Tables
Ormolu
1970s Italian Space Age Vintage Tray Tables
Plastic
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Brass
2010s Italian Tray Tables
Travertine
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Brass, Metal
1960s Danish Vintage Tray Tables
Teak
1970s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Rosewood
2010s Italian Tray Tables
Marble
2010s Italian Tray Tables
Travertine
Mid-20th Century Spanish Moorish Tray Tables
Brass
19th Century French Louis XV Antique Tray Tables
Bronze
1970s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Brass
Early 20th Century French Art Deco Tray Tables
Metal
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.