Tray Tables
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Tray Tables
Stainless Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Indonesian Modern Tray Tables
Bronze
21st Century and Contemporary Indonesian Modern Tray Tables
Bronze
2010s Turkish Minimalist Tray Tables
Metal
19th Century English Regency Antique Tray Tables
Gold Leaf
1870s French Neoclassical Revival Antique Tray Tables
Bronze
2010s American Tray Tables
Bronze, Steel
2010s American Tray Tables
Bronze, Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Tray Tables
Travertine, Bronze
2010s Italian Modern Tray Tables
Gold
2010s American Tray Tables
Bronze, Steel
2010s American Tray Tables
Bronze, Steel
2010s American Tray Tables
Bronze, Steel
2010s American Tray Tables
Bronze, Steel
2010s Italian Modern Tray Tables
Gold
2010s American Tray Tables
Bronze, Steel
21st Century and Contemporary European Tray Tables
Stainless Steel, Gold
Late 19th Century American Antique Tray Tables
Mahogany
2010s Italian Modern Tray Tables
Brass, Aluminum, Bronze
Late 19th Century English Antique Tray Tables
Brass
Early 20th Century Czech Art Deco Tray Tables
Chrome
1960s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Brass, Steel
2010s Italian Tray Tables
Leather, Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary Guatemalan Modern Tray Tables
Wood
20th Century Moroccan Moorish Tray Tables
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary French Art Deco Tray Tables
Wood, Shagreen Stingray
21st Century and Contemporary French Art Deco Tray Tables
Brass
2010s Tray Tables
Leather
1840s English Early Victorian Antique Tray Tables
Paper, Faux Bamboo
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Metal, Gold Plate
Late 20th Century Italian Modern Tray Tables
Gold Plate, Brass
Mid-20th Century English Tray Tables
Bronze
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Bronze, Enamel, Pewter
Early 20th Century Indian Anglo-Indian Tray Tables
Brass
Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Gold Plate, Brass
Late 20th Century Italian Modern Tray Tables
Gold Plate, Brass
Late 20th Century Italian Modern Tray Tables
Gold Plate, Brass
Late 20th Century French Tray Tables
Bronze
Mid-20th Century Tray Tables
Bronze, Enamel
20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Gold
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Gold Plate, Steel
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.