Tray Tables
20th Century European Art Deco Tray Tables
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Tray Tables
Stainless Steel
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Metal
2010s American Other Tray Tables
Metal, Sheet Metal
1830s English Regency Antique Tray Tables
Mahogany
2010s English Tray Tables
Wood, Lacquer
2010s English Tray Tables
Wood, Lacquer
2010s European Minimalist Tray Tables
Marble
1960s Belgian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Oak
20th Century French Art Deco Tray Tables
Brass
1930s Art Deco Vintage Tray Tables
Sterling Silver
19th Century English Antique Tray Tables
Wood
1960s Italian Hollywood Regency Vintage Tray Tables
Brass
19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Tray Tables
Walnut
Early 1900s Japanese Japonisme Antique Tray Tables
Bamboo, Lacquer
20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Tray Tables
Teak
1870s French Napoleon III Antique Tray Tables
Walnut, Lacquer
21st Century and Contemporary Tray Tables
Marble, Steel
1880s Burmese Late Victorian Antique Tray Tables
Brass
1920s Chinoiserie Vintage Tray Tables
Lacquer
2010s German Modern Tray Tables
Marble, Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Tray Tables
Stainless Steel
Early 1900s Moroccan Late Victorian Antique Tray Tables
Brass
2010s Italian Modern Tray Tables
Iron
2010s European Minimalist Tray Tables
Marble
Late 19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Tray Tables
Tôle
2010s Italian Modern Tray Tables
Iron
1960s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Brass
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Bamboo, Wicker, Rattan
1960s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Bamboo
19th Century British Antique Tray Tables
Brass
Mid-19th Century English Georgian Antique Tray Tables
Brass
1960s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Bamboo
2010s Italian Modern Tray Tables
Marble
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Teak
15th Century and Earlier Egyptian Islamic Antique Tray Tables
Brass, Silver
20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Glass, Teak
21st Century and Contemporary German Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Metal
1960s Vintage Tray Tables
Teak
19th Century English Campaign Antique Tray Tables
Wood, Mahogany
1940s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Walnut
19th Century English Antique Tray Tables
Wood, Lacquer
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Tray Tables
Copper
1970s English Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Hardwood
2010s Italian Modern Tray Tables
Iron
Early 1900s German Art Nouveau Antique Tray Tables
Metal
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Teak
1880s Other Antique Tray Tables
Ormolu
19th Century Italian Napoleon III Antique Tray Tables
Lapis Lazuli, Malachite, Bronze
2010s Italian Tray Tables
Marble
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Tray Tables
Metal
1970s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Brass
1980s Italian Post-Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Philippine Art Deco Tray Tables
Quartz, Brass
Late 20th Century Italian Art Nouveau Tray Tables
Brass
1960s Scandinavian Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Metal
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Brass
1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Brass
2010s Brazilian Minimalist Tray Tables
Wood
20th Century British Tray Tables
Faux Bamboo
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.





