Tray Tables
20th Century Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Metal
1960s American Chinoiserie Vintage Tray Tables
Bamboo, Lacquer
Mid-20th Century English Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Silver Plate
1930s German Art Deco Vintage Tray Tables
Wood
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Bamboo, Wicker, Rattan
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Steel
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Crystal, Gold Plate, Brass
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Mercury Glass, Wood
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Formica, Beech
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Brass
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Steel, Chrome
Mid-20th Century Moroccan Moorish Tray Tables
Wood
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Chrome
1960s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Steel
Early 20th Century French Louis XVI Tray Tables
Brass, Bronze, Ormolu
1960s French Hollywood Regency Vintage Tray Tables
Brass
Early 1900s French Antique Tray Tables
Metal
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Brass
Mid-20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Teak
Early 20th Century Moroccan Moorish Tray Tables
Leather, Wood
Mid-20th Century American Victorian Tray Tables
Metal
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Wood, Hardwood
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Tray Tables
Brass
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Tray Tables
Teak
20th Century American Tray Tables
Leather, Wood
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Wood
Early 1900s Chinese Export Antique Tray Tables
Brass
1970s French Vintage Tray Tables
Brass
1930s French Art Deco Vintage Tray Tables
Walnut
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Wood
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Brass
Mid-20th Century American American Colonial Tray Tables
Maple, Paint
1960s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Metal, Chrome
Early 1900s English Arts and Crafts Antique Tray Tables
Copper
Mid-20th Century Tray Tables
Walnut
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Plastic
Early 20th Century Swedish Edwardian Tray Tables
Walnut
Mid-20th Century Indian Anglo-Indian Tray Tables
Bone, Hardwood
Late 20th Century Italian Art Nouveau Tray Tables
Brass
1950s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Metal
Early 20th Century English Tray Tables
Mahogany
Early 20th Century French Art Deco Tray Tables
Metal
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Iron
Early 20th Century French Tray Tables
Silver Plate, Brass
Mid-20th Century French Art Deco Tray Tables
Wrought Iron
1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Glass, Wood
Late 20th Century American Modern Tray Tables
Iron
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Rosewood
Early 1900s French Antique Tray Tables
Bamboo, Wood
1960s Indian Vintage Tray Tables
Brass
20th Century Tray Tables
Copper
1960s English Georgian Vintage Tray Tables
Mahogany
Mid-20th Century Philippine Rustic Tray Tables
Leather, Wood
1970s American Vintage Tray Tables
Brass
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Brass
1970s Japanese Vintage Tray Tables
Plastic
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Steel
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.