Tray Tables
20th Century Moroccan British Colonial Tray Tables
Brass
Mid-20th Century American Regency Tray Tables
Wood
20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Plastic
1940s French Vintage Tray Tables
19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Tray Tables
Walnut
20th Century British Regency Tray Tables
Lacquer
1930s European Vintage Tray Tables
Wood
1940s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Glass, Walnut
20th Century British Regency Tray Tables
Lacquer
1880s Victorian Antique Tray Tables
Lacquer
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Wood, Hardwood
1890s Burmese Other Antique Tray Tables
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Tray Tables
Leather, Wicker
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Teak
Late 19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Tray Tables
Tôle
1920s Thai Other Vintage Tray Tables
Glass, Wood
Late 19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Tray Tables
Tôle
2010s European Minimalist Tray Tables
Marble
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Crystal, Gold Plate, Brass
1880s Sheraton Antique Tray Tables
Walnut
Early 1900s German Art Nouveau Antique Tray Tables
Metal
1920s Vintage Tray Tables
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Tray Tables
Plastic
2010s Italian Post-Modern Tray Tables
Stainless Steel
Late 19th Century French Art Nouveau Antique Tray Tables
Wrought Iron
1930s Moroccan Moorish Vintage Tray Tables
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary American Tray Tables
Lacquer, Wood
20th Century European Tray Tables
Glass, Fruitwood
18th Century Norwegian Rococo Antique Tray Tables
Wood, Paint
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Walnut
20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Glass, Teak
1920s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Birch
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Tray Tables
Stainless Steel
19th Century Jamaican Regency Antique Tray Tables
Wood
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Teak
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Metal, Brass
Late 20th Century Italian Space Age Tray Tables
Plastic
21st Century and Contemporary Philippine Art Deco Tray Tables
Quartz, Stainless Steel
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Mahogany
Late 19th Century English Queen Anne Antique Tray Tables
Mahogany
1950s American Vintage Tray Tables
Oak
1930s French Art Deco Vintage Tray Tables
Chrome
2010s Italian Modern Tray Tables
Glass
Early 20th Century French Tray Tables
Marble, Brass
1970s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Wood
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Walnut
1970s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Modern Tray Tables
Leather
Early 19th Century English Regency Antique Tray Tables
Lacquer
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Tray Tables
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Tray Tables
Marble, Stainless Steel
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Mercury Glass, Wood
Late 19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Tray Tables
Metal, Brass
1930s German Art Deco Vintage Tray Tables
Wood
Mid-20th Century Chinese Hollywood Regency Tray Tables
Brass
1810s English George III Antique Tray Tables
Brass
20th Century Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Metal, Brass
1970s Italian Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Metal, Chrome
2010s Danish Scandinavian Modern Tray Tables
Oak
2010s European Minimalist Tray Tables
Marble
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.