Tray Tables
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Teak
1960s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Teak
Early 1900s British Edwardian Antique Tray Tables
Wood
1970s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Wood
1940s American Chinoiserie Vintage Tray Tables
Wood
Mid-20th Century American Georgian Tray Tables
Glass, Mahogany
1950s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Beech, Birch, Lacquer
20th Century British Chippendale Tray Tables
Wood, Paint
1970s Vintage Tray Tables
Wicker, Glass
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Brass
1990s North American Modern Tray Tables
Lacquer
1930s Vintage Tray Tables
Bamboo, Wicker
20th Century American Modern Tray Tables
Wood
1920s Great Britain (UK) Vintage Tray Tables
Metal
1960s German Bauhaus Vintage Tray Tables
Wood
20th Century Italian Baroque Tray Tables
Wood
1960s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Metal
1940s French Vintage Tray Tables
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Teak
Early 20th Century French Art Deco Tray Tables
Chrome
1970s Vintage Tray Tables
Brass
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Brass
Early 1900s English Arts and Crafts Antique Tray Tables
Brass
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Brass
1980s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Brass
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Brass
1920s Vintage Tray Tables
Wood
Mid-20th Century Mexican Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Gold Leaf
Early 20th Century American Chippendale Tray Tables
Mahogany, Burl
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Wood
20th Century American Tray Tables
Brass
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Rattan
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Brass
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Brass
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Bamboo
Early 20th Century Unknown Renaissance Tray Tables
Leather, Walnut
1960s Italian Vintage Tray Tables
Metal, Brass
1970s American Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Wood
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Teak
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Teak
1930s Japanese Meiji Vintage Tray Tables
Wood
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Metal
Early 1900s Moroccan Late Victorian Antique Tray Tables
Brass
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Tray Tables
Metal
1930s Austrian Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Wood
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Metal
1960s Vintage Tray Tables
Metal, Zinc
Early 1900s English Arts and Crafts Antique Tray Tables
Pewter
1950s Italian Hollywood Regency Vintage Tray Tables
Walnut
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Brass
Early 1900s English Arts and Crafts Antique Tray Tables
Pewter
Mid-20th Century Italian Baroque Tray Tables
Brass
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Teak
1960s Hong Kong Moorish Vintage Tray Tables
Brass
Early 20th Century Italian Tray Tables
Metal
1970s Italian Space Age Vintage Tray Tables
Plastic
1970s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Teak
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Wood
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.