Tray Tables
2010s Italian Modern Tray Tables
Iron
21st Century and Contemporary French Tray Tables
Marble, Steel
1850s English Victorian Antique Tray Tables
Paper
2010s Italian Tray Tables
Murano Glass
2010s Italian Modern Tray Tables
Leather, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Tray Tables
Wood
Mid-20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Brass
1840s English Early Victorian Antique Tray Tables
Paper, Faux Bamboo
1940s Italian Vintage Tray Tables
Glass, Wood
2010s Italian Tray Tables
Marble
1960s Japanese Vintage Tray Tables
Resin
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Metal
Mid-19th Century English Regency Antique Tray Tables
Paper
Mid-20th Century Moroccan Moorish Tray Tables
Wood
Late 20th Century English Tray Tables
Brass
1950s Italian Vintage Tray Tables
Metal
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Tray Tables
Wood
19th Century British Early Victorian Antique Tray Tables
Paint, Paper
19th Century English Antique Tray Tables
Paper
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.