Tray Tables
Early 18th Century French Antique Tray Tables
Marble
2010s Italian Modern Tray Tables
Iron
2010s Portuguese Organic Modern Tray Tables
Wood, Walnut
2010s Italian Modern Tray Tables
Iron
2010s Italian Modern Tray Tables
Glass
2010s Italian Modern Tray Tables
Iron
2010s Italian Modern Tray Tables
Iron
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Metal
2010s Italian Modern Tray Tables
Iron
2010s Italian Modern Tray Tables
Iron
2010s Italian Modern Tray Tables
Iron
19th Century English Early Victorian Antique Tray Tables
Brass
2010s Italian Modern Tray Tables
Iron
2010s Italian Modern Tray Tables
Iron
2010s Italian Modern Tray Tables
Iron
2010s Italian Modern Tray Tables
Iron
2010s Italian Modern Tray Tables
Iron
2010s Italian Modern Tray Tables
Iron
2010s Italian Modern Tray Tables
Iron
2010s Italian Modern Tray Tables
Iron
Early 1900s French Art Nouveau Antique Tray Tables
Rosewood
2010s Italian Modern Tray Tables
Iron
2010s Italian Modern Tray Tables
Iron
2010s Italian Modern Tray Tables
Iron
2010s Italian Modern Tray Tables
Iron
2010s Italian Modern Tray Tables
Iron
2010s Italian Modern Tray Tables
Iron
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Beech
Mid-20th Century American George III Tray Tables
Metal
2010s English Modern Tray Tables
Marble, Brass, Steel
2010s Brazilian Post-Modern Tray Tables
Steel
1960s Italian Neoclassical Vintage Tray Tables
Metal
20th Century French Tray Tables
Metal, Brass
1960s Scandinavian Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Tray Tables
Plastic
2010s English Post-Modern Tray Tables
Marble
20th Century Philippine British Colonial Tray Tables
Bamboo
1960s Italian Hollywood Regency Vintage Tray Tables
Brass, Chrome
19th Century English Victorian Antique Tray Tables
Brass
Late 18th Century English Georgian Antique Tray Tables
Mahogany
2010s Portuguese Organic Modern Tray Tables
Walnut, Wood
Mid-20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Tray Tables
Metal, Tôle
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Metal
Early 20th Century French Baroque Tray Tables
Brass
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Brass
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Tray Tables
Teak
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Bamboo
21st Century and Contemporary Indonesian Modern Tray Tables
Bronze
1980s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Tray Tables
Stainless Steel
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Brass
2010s Danish Modern Tray Tables
Steel
Early 20th Century Moroccan Moorish Tray Tables
Leather, Wood
2010s Danish Modern Tray Tables
Steel
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Chrome, Iron
Mid-18th Century British George II Antique Tray Tables
Wood
Mid-20th Century American Edwardian Tray Tables
Walnut, Paint
Mid-19th Century English Chinoiserie Antique Tray Tables
Mahogany
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.