Tray Tables
2010s Italian Post-Modern Tray Tables
Glass
2010s Danish Modern Tray Tables
Iron
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Tray Tables
Stainless Steel
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Tray Tables
Brass
19th Century European Edwardian Antique Tray Tables
Metal
1790s English Chippendale Antique Tray Tables
Mahogany
Early 20th Century English Chippendale Tray Tables
Wood, Oak
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Tray Tables
Teak
Early 20th Century Art Nouveau Tray Tables
Wood
1950s Italian Hollywood Regency Vintage Tray Tables
Brass
Early 20th Century Indian Anglo-Indian Tray Tables
Brass
Early 20th Century Italian Tray Tables
Metal
Early 20th Century Finnish Scandinavian Modern Tray Tables
Metal, Iron
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Brass
20th Century Industrial Tray Tables
Iron
1830s English Regency Antique Tray Tables
Mahogany
2010s Portuguese Organic Modern Tray Tables
Wood, Walnut
19th Century French Antique Tray Tables
Tôle
19th Century English Queen Anne Antique Tray Tables
Mahogany
1870s American Regency Antique Tray Tables
Silver Plate
Late 19th Century French Art Nouveau Antique Tray Tables
Walnut, Satinwood, Nutwood, Beech
Mid-20th Century Spanish Hollywood Regency Tray Tables
Lucite, Wood
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Brass
2010s Danish Modern Tray Tables
Iron
18th Century French Louis XV Antique Tray Tables
Pine
2010s Danish Modern Tray Tables
Iron
Late 19th Century Victorian Antique Tray Tables
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Tray Tables
Marble, Steel
Mid-20th Century French Art Deco Tray Tables
Wrought Iron
21st Century and Contemporary French Art Deco Tray Tables
Brass
Early 20th Century Egyptian Moorish Tray Tables
Brass
Early 1900s German Art Nouveau Antique Tray Tables
Metal
20th Century Italian Tray Tables
Brass
2010s Danish Modern Tray Tables
Iron
Mid-20th Century Thai Country Tray Tables
Rattan
1950s Italian Hollywood Regency Vintage Tray Tables
Walnut
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Tray Tables
Metal, Brass
2010s Danish Post-Modern Tray Tables
Crystal
Mid-20th Century Tray Tables
Metal, Brass, Aluminum
Mid-19th Century English Antique Tray Tables
Mahogany
2010s British Modern Tray Tables
Brass, Copper, Steel
1970s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Teak
20th Century German Tray Tables
Wood
Mid-19th Century Dutch Antique Tray Tables
Walnut
20th Century British Georgian Tray Tables
Hardwood
21st Century and Contemporary Tray Tables
Marble, Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Tray Tables
Marble, Steel
2010s Danish Post-Modern Tray Tables
Crystal
Early 20th Century Asian Islamic Tray Tables
Brass
2010s Canadian Modern Tray Tables
Oak
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Brass
Late 19th Century Turkish Islamic Antique Tray Tables
Metal, Copper
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Wood
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Metal
2010s Italian Modern Tray Tables
Iron
2010s Italian Modern Tray Tables
Iron
Early 19th Century English George III Antique Tray Tables
Mahogany
2010s Italian Modern Tray Tables
Glass
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.