Tray Tables
Early 20th Century French French Provincial Tray Tables
Glass, Hardwood
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Brass
1930s Art Deco Vintage Tray Tables
Sterling Silver
1980s French Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Brass
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Wrought Iron
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Tray Tables
Metal
Late 20th Century British Organic Modern Tray Tables
Composition, Steel
1970s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Wood
Early 20th Century English Tray Tables
Metal
1950s French Neoclassical Vintage Tray Tables
Brass
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Metal
Early 20th Century American Georgian Tray Tables
Mahogany
1970s Italian Vintage Tray Tables
Steel
1970s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Chrome
1940s Vintage Tray Tables
Glass
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Wood
20th Century American Tray Tables
Rosewood
1920s Vintage Tray Tables
Wood
1930s Art Deco Vintage Tray Tables
Sterling Silver
20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Tray Tables
Teak
1960s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Brass
20th Century American British Colonial Tray Tables
Bamboo
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Bamboo
20th Century English Arts and Crafts Tray Tables
1990s American Tray Tables
Faux Bamboo, Wood
20th Century Chinese Qing Tray Tables
Rosewood
1970s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Rosewood
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Copper
20th Century English Tray Tables
Metal
1970s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Wood
Mid-20th Century Indian Anglo-Indian Tray Tables
Wood
1970s Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Teak
20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Tray Tables
Metal
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Tray Tables
Wood
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Mahogany
1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Teak
1950s English Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Hardwood
20th Century German Tray Tables
Wood
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Tray Tables
Metal
1980s Italian Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Brass
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Mahogany
1960s American Vintage Tray Tables
Chrome, Brass, Steel
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Brass
Late 20th Century Spanish Islamic Tray Tables
Metal
1960s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Bamboo
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Brass, Chrome
Mid-20th Century Unknown Hollywood Regency Tray Tables
Brass
Early 20th Century Swedish Rococo Tray Tables
Porcelain, Wood, Paint
1960s Belgian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Oak
Early 1900s English Antique Tray Tables
Wood
1940s Swiss Bauhaus Vintage Tray Tables
Metal
Mid-20th Century Tray Tables
Brass
20th Century Edwardian Tray Tables
Wood
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Brass
1970s Italian Space Age Vintage Tray Tables
Plastic
1950s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Metal, Brass
Mid-20th Century British Regency Tray Tables
Wood, Paint
1970s Danish Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Oak
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.