Tray Tables
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Tray Tables
Metal
1880s French Aesthetic Movement Antique Tray Tables
Bamboo, Wood
2010s Italian Modern Tray Tables
Aluminum, Brass
19th Century British Regency Antique Tray Tables
Bronze
1930s French Art Deco Vintage Tray Tables
Chrome
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Aluminum
20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Glass, Teak
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Tray Tables
Metal
1970s Vintage Tray Tables
Brass
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
1920s Vintage Tray Tables
Wood
1920s Art Deco Vintage Tray Tables
Brass
1960s Vintage Tray Tables
Brass
2010s European Minimalist Tray Tables
Marble
1810s English George III Antique Tray Tables
Brass
19th Century English Victorian Antique Tray Tables
Lacquer
1930s British Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Plywood
Late 20th Century Italian Hollywood Regency Tray Tables
Brass
20th Century Moroccan British Colonial Tray Tables
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Tray Tables
Marble, Stainless Steel
Early 1900s Burmese Art Deco Antique Tray Tables
Brass
20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Metal
1960s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Brass
18th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Tray Tables
Wood
Mid-20th Century Chinese Hollywood Regency Tray Tables
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Tray Tables
Plastic
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Modern Tray Tables
Leather
19th Century Italian Napoleon III Antique Tray Tables
Lapis Lazuli, Malachite, Bronze
20th Century British Regency Tray Tables
Lacquer
2010s European Minimalist Tray Tables
Marble
1970s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Brass
2010s Italian Modern Tray Tables
Iron
19th Century English Antique Tray Tables
Paper
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Modern Tray Tables
Steel
1960s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Iron
18th Century Norwegian Rococo Antique Tray Tables
Wood, Paint
19th Century English Campaign Antique Tray Tables
Wood, Mahogany
Mid-20th Century Moroccan Moorish Tray Tables
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Philippine Art Deco Tray Tables
Quartz, Stainless Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Tray Tables
Marble, Stainless Steel
2010s European Minimalist Tray Tables
Marble
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Aluminum
19th Century Jamaican Regency Antique Tray Tables
Wood
1960s Vintage Tray Tables
Metal, Brass
1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Bentwood
2010s Spanish Modern Tray Tables
Iron
1920s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Birch
Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Tray Tables
Wood
2010s European Minimalist Tray Tables
Marble
1880s Victorian Antique Tray Tables
Lacquer
1970s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Mahogany
1950s American Vintage Tray Tables
Oak
1960s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Elm
1970s Italian Baroque Vintage Tray Tables
Leather, Wood
19th Century English William IV Antique Tray Tables
Fabric, Wood, Mahogany
1950s Moroccan Bohemian Vintage Tray Tables
Brass
19th Century English Other Antique Tray Tables
Metal
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Tray Tables
Leather, Wicker
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.