Tray Tables
Late 19th Century American Antique Tray Tables
Mahogany
Mid-18th Century Italian Baroque Antique Tray Tables
Wood
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Brass
1890s Victorian Antique Tray Tables
Sterling Silver
Late 19th Century English Regency Antique Tray Tables
Wood
1660s Italian Mid-Century Modern Antique Tray Tables
Brass
1970s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Metal, Chrome
1920s Art Deco Vintage Tray Tables
Silver Plate
Early 20th Century Indian Islamic Tray Tables
Metal, Bronze, Copper
Mid-18th Century English Chippendale Antique Tray Tables
Mahogany
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Tray Tables
Metal
1970s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Brass, Nickel
Late 19th Century English Antique Tray Tables
Mahogany
Late 20th Century Italian Space Age Tray Tables
Plastic
Late 19th Century English George III Antique Tray Tables
2010s European Minimalist Tray Tables
Marble
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Brass
Late 19th Century English Antique Tray Tables
Bronze
1940s Italian Bauhaus Vintage Tray Tables
Metal
Early 1900s Moroccan Late Victorian Antique Tray Tables
Brass
Early 20th Century French Tray Tables
Wood
Late 19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Tray Tables
Tôle
Late 19th Century American Antique Tray Tables
Walnut
Early 19th Century English George III Antique Tray Tables
Mahogany
1920s Art Deco Vintage Tray Tables
Walnut
20th Century American British Colonial Tray Tables
Bamboo
1960s American Vintage Tray Tables
Mahogany
20th Century Chinoiserie Tray Tables
Metal
19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Tray Tables
Walnut
19th Century English Regency Antique Tray Tables
Gold Leaf
Early 19th Century English Regency Antique Tray Tables
Lacquer, Paper
1930s French Art Deco Vintage Tray Tables
Chrome
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Tray Tables
Marble, Stainless Steel
Late 19th Century British Victorian Antique Tray Tables
Silver
2010s Danish Post-Modern Tray Tables
Crystal
Early 19th Century English Regency Antique Tray Tables
Lacquer
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Tray Tables
Plastic
19th Century English Sheraton Antique Tray Tables
Brass
1950s European Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Rosewood
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Brass
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Brass
1930s European Vintage Tray Tables
Wood
1920s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Birch
1820s English George III Antique Tray Tables
Tin
20th Century British Art Deco Tray Tables
Silver
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Rosewood
Mid-20th Century Thai Country Tray Tables
Rattan
Early 1900s Japanese Japonisme Antique Tray Tables
Bamboo, Lacquer
1960s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Metal
Early 1900s Moroccan Late Victorian Antique Tray Tables
Brass
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Guatemalan Modern Tray Tables
Wood
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Tray Tables
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Tray Tables
Stainless Steel
20th Century Moroccan British Colonial Tray Tables
Brass
1990s Italian Post-Modern Tray Tables
Aluminum, Iron
Late 19th Century English Victorian Antique Tray Tables
Softwood, Paper
Early 20th Century Asian Chinoiserie Tray Tables
Bamboo, Wood, Lacquer
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.