Tray Tables
Mid-20th Century Hong Kong Chinoiserie Tray Tables
Brass
1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Teak
1950s Italian Vintage Tray Tables
Formica, Beech
1920s Vintage Tray Tables
Pewter
2010s Italian Modern Tray Tables
Sheet Metal
2010s Danish Scandinavian Modern Tray Tables
Stainless Steel
20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Tray Tables
Teak
21st Century and Contemporary Indonesian Modern Tray Tables
Bronze
Late 19th Century English Late Victorian Antique Tray Tables
Mother-of-Pearl, Wood, Paper
1950s Italian Vintage Tray Tables
Metal
1940s Italian Vintage Tray Tables
Brass
Late 19th Century Chinese Qing Antique Tray Tables
Wood, Lacquer
19th Century Antique Tray Tables
Metal
1970s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Wood
2010s Belgian Post-Modern Tray Tables
Ash
20th Century British British Colonial Tray Tables
Brass
Late 20th Century Indian Agra Tray Tables
Marble
1960s Danish Islamic Vintage Tray Tables
Brass, Bronze
1920s Japanese Taisho Vintage Tray Tables
Lacquer
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Tray Tables
Bronze, Nickel, Brass
19th Century English Victorian Antique Tray Tables
Faux Bamboo, Lacquer, Paper
21st Century and Contemporary Guatemalan Modern Tray Tables
Wood
1890s Japanese Meiji Antique Tray Tables
Teak
21st Century and Contemporary Tray Tables
Marble, Steel
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Crystal, Brass
1940s American Art Deco Vintage Tray Tables
Walnut
19th Century English Campaign Antique Tray Tables
Wood, Mahogany
Early 20th Century Moroccan Islamic Tray Tables
Brass
2010s Danish Post-Modern Tray Tables
Crystal
20th Century British British Colonial Tray Tables
Brass
1850s English Early Victorian Antique Tray Tables
Fruitwood, Lacquer, Paper
20th Century English Arts and Crafts Tray Tables
Early 20th Century Indian Anglo-Indian Tray Tables
Brass, Copper
1960s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Brass
1990s American Tray Tables
Faux Bamboo, Wood
Early 20th Century American Chinese Chippendale Tray Tables
Fruitwood
1970s Dutch Space Age Vintage Tray Tables
Plastic
1960s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Metal, Brass
Early 20th Century Moroccan Islamic Tray Tables
Copper
20th Century British Tray Tables
Faux Bamboo
2010s Italian Modern Tray Tables
Marble
Early 1900s French Art Nouveau Antique Tray Tables
Mahogany
Mid-20th Century Moroccan Moorish Tray Tables
Brass
Mid-19th Century French Antique Tray Tables
Brass
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Marble
1960s Italian Vintage Tray Tables
Brass
2010s Renaissance Tray Tables
Mahogany
Late 20th Century Rustic Tray Tables
Hardwood
1970s German Space Age Vintage Tray Tables
Metal
2010s Danish Post-Modern Tray Tables
Crystal
Early 20th Century French Louis Philippe Tray Tables
Brass
Mid-20th Century Campaign Tray Tables
Brass
Early 20th Century French Art Nouveau Tray Tables
Glass, Walnut
Early 20th Century Indian Tray Tables
Brass
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Teak
2010s Italian Modern Tray Tables
Leather, Wood
19th Century English Edwardian Antique Tray Tables
Satinwood
2010s Polish Tray Tables
Marble
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.