Tray Tables
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Bamboo, Wicker, Rattan
1960s Norwegian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Teak
20th Century English Regency Tray Tables
Metal, Silver
Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Tray Tables
Oak, Teak
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Rosewood
2010s German Modern Tray Tables
Marble, Metal
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Brass
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Tray Tables
Metal
20th Century Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Teak
20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Metal
Late 20th Century Italian Space Age Tray Tables
Plastic
Mid-19th Century English Chinoiserie Antique Tray Tables
Mahogany
1940s American Queen Anne Vintage Tray Tables
Wood
1940s Finnish Vintage Tray Tables
Brass
19th Century French Antique Tray Tables
Fruitwood
1990s American Tray Tables
Faux Bamboo, Wood
20th Century Tray Tables
Copper
Early 19th Century English Regency Antique Tray Tables
Tin
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Brass
2010s European Minimalist Tray Tables
Marble
19th Century Persian Islamic Antique Tray Tables
Copper
1960s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Iron
1930s British Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Plywood
Late 19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Tray Tables
Bronze
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Beech
Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Brass
20th Century Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Teak
Mid-20th Century Danish Other Tray Tables
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Tray Tables
Marble, Stainless Steel
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Metal
1890s English Late Victorian Antique Tray Tables
Satinwood
1960s Vintage Tray Tables
Metal, Brass
1960s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Brass
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Tray Tables
Metal
19th Century Jamaican Regency Antique Tray Tables
Wood
2010s American Tray Tables
Bronze, Steel
Late 20th Century Italian Space Age Tray Tables
Plastic
19th Century English Antique Tray Tables
Paper
1970s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Metal, Chrome
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Modern Tray Tables
Steel
1970s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Wood
1940s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Glass, Walnut
Mid-20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Teak
1970s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Brass
19th Century British Victorian Antique Tray Tables
Faux Bamboo
1920s Art Deco Vintage Tray Tables
Walnut
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Teak
18th Century Norwegian Rococo Antique Tray Tables
Wood, Paint
15th Century and Earlier Egyptian Islamic Antique Tray Tables
Brass, Silver
1880s English Victorian Antique Tray Tables
Satinwood
2010s American Other Tray Tables
Metal, Sheet Metal
Late 19th Century British Chinoiserie Antique Tray Tables
Metal
2010s European Minimalist Tray Tables
Marble
Early 20th Century French Tray Tables
Marble, Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Tray Tables
Leather, Wicker
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Steel
2010s American Tray Tables
Bronze, Steel
1860s English High Victorian Antique Tray Tables
Wood
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
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.