Tray Tables
21st Century and Contemporary Philippine Art Deco Tray Tables
Brass
1980s American Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Wicker
20th Century English Arts and Crafts Tray Tables
1970s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Metal, Chrome
Mid-19th Century English Regency Antique Tray Tables
Paper
21st Century and Contemporary Philippine Art Deco Tray Tables
Stainless Steel
Mid-20th Century Indian Anglo-Indian Tray Tables
Wood
Early 19th Century English Regency Antique Tray Tables
Tin
21st Century and Contemporary Philippine Art Deco Tray Tables
Brass
Mid-19th Century English Victorian Antique Tray Tables
Wood
1970s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Oak
2010s American Minimalist Tray Tables
Aluminum
2010s European Minimalist Tray Tables
Marble
19th Century Unknown Moorish Antique Tray Tables
Brass
Mid-20th Century American George III Tray Tables
Metal
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Metal
Mid-20th Century French Japonisme Tray Tables
Wood
1950s American Chinoiserie Vintage Tray Tables
Wood
15th Century and Earlier Egyptian Islamic Antique Tray Tables
Brass, Silver
1890s English Late Victorian Antique Tray Tables
Satinwood
Late 20th Century Spanish Islamic Tray Tables
Metal
1920s Art Deco Vintage Tray Tables
Walnut
Late 19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Tray Tables
Tôle
20th Century Tray Tables
Wood, Mahogany, Paint
Mid-20th Century Italian Art Deco Tray Tables
Metal
19th Century Chinese Qing Antique Tray Tables
Hardwood
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Metal
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Tray Tables
Brass
Early 20th Century Lebanese Islamic Tray Tables
Brass
20th Century British British Colonial Tray Tables
Brass
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Metal
20th Century Italian Tray Tables
Brass
Early 20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Tray Tables
Metal
19th Century English Queen Anne Antique Tray Tables
Mahogany
Mid-19th Century Victorian Antique Tray Tables
Mahogany
Early 20th Century North American Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Metal
Late 20th Century Italian Space Age Tray Tables
Plastic
Mid-20th Century American Tray Tables
Mahogany
Early 19th Century English Regency Antique Tray Tables
Faux Bamboo
19th Century English Antique Tray Tables
Bamboo
Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Plastic
2010s Danish Scandinavian Modern Tray Tables
Stainless Steel
2010s Italian Modern Tray Tables
Sheet Metal
18th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Tray Tables
Metal, Brass
Late 19th Century British Chinoiserie Antique Tray Tables
Bamboo, Wood
Late 19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Tray Tables
Tôle
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Tray Tables
Bronze, Nickel, Brass
Mid-19th Century English Regency Antique Tray Tables
Rosewood
1930s Vintage Tray Tables
Bamboo, Wicker
2010s German Modern Tray Tables
Marble, Metal
1880s Sheraton Antique Tray Tables
Walnut
20th Century Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Metal, Brass
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Teak
Early 20th Century Finnish Scandinavian Modern Tray Tables
Metal, Iron
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Walnut
20th Century English Regency Tray Tables
Metal, Silver
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Beech
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Tray Tables
Brass, Bronze, Nickel
2010s Italian Modern Tray Tables
Metal
1960s Italian Hollywood Regency Vintage 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.