Tray Tables
Late 20th Century Rustic Tray Tables
Hardwood
19th Century English Edwardian Antique Tray Tables
Satinwood
Mid-20th Century French Baroque Tray Tables
Brass
2010s Italian Modern Tray Tables
Leather, Wood
1960s Italian Neoclassical Vintage Tray Tables
Metal
1860s English Late Victorian Antique Tray Tables
Lacquer, Paper
1950s British Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Teak, Bentwood, Plywood
1980s Vintage Tray Tables
Metal, Brass
2010s Italian Modern Tray Tables
Leather, Wood
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Teak
Mid-20th Century Tray Tables
Brass
2010s Tray Tables
Leather, Walnut
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Brass
1810s Italian Neoclassical Antique Tray Tables
Tin
21st Century and Contemporary French Art Deco Tray Tables
Wood, Shagreen Stingray
1820s French Neoclassical Antique Tray Tables
Metal
19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Tray Tables
Lacquer
21st Century and Contemporary Indonesian Modern Tray Tables
Bronze
Late 19th Century French Art Nouveau Antique Tray Tables
Walnut, Satinwood, Nutwood, Beech
1960s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Metal
Early 19th Century English Georgian Antique Tray Tables
Mahogany
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Organic Modern Tray Tables
Brass
2010s Italian Tray Tables
Leather
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Rosewood
Early 20th Century Egyptian Moorish Tray Tables
Brass
20th Century Asian Moorish Tray Tables
Brass
2010s Italian Modern Tray Tables
Marble
2010s Italian Modern Tray Tables
Marble
1970s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Wood
Early 20th Century Indian Anglo-Indian Tray Tables
Brass, Copper
21st Century and Contemporary Tray Tables
Marble, Steel
Early 19th Century English Regency Antique Tray Tables
Oak
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Tray Tables
Stainless Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Tray Tables
Marble, Steel
2010s Italian Modern Tray Tables
Iron
2010s Italian Modern Tray Tables
Marble
21st Century and Contemporary Tray Tables
Marble, Steel
Early 1900s French Art Nouveau Antique Tray Tables
Fruitwood, Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary French Art Deco Tray Tables
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Brazilian Organic Modern Tray Tables
Hardwood
Early 20th Century Art Nouveau Tray Tables
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Tray Tables
Marble, Steel
Mid-20th Century American Tray Tables
Mahogany
21st Century and Contemporary French Art Deco Tray Tables
Brass
2010s Italian Modern Tray Tables
Copper
2010s Italian Modern Tray Tables
Copper
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Tray Tables
Marble, Stainless Steel
Late 19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Tray Tables
Metal, Brass
19th Century German Chinoiserie Antique Tray Tables
Brass
2010s Danish Modern Tray Tables
Iron
2010s Italian Post-Modern Tray Tables
Glass
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Tray Tables
Stainless Steel
19th Century English Sheraton Antique Tray Tables
Brass
19th Century English Queen Anne Antique Tray Tables
Mahogany
19th Century European Edwardian Antique Tray Tables
Metal
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Tray Tables
Teak
Early 20th Century Italian Tray Tables
Metal
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.