Tray Tables
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Murano Glass
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Tray Tables
Brass
Mid-20th Century French Art Nouveau Tray Tables
Ormolu
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Tray Tables
Metal
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Teak
1760s Swedish Rococo Antique Tray Tables
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Brazilian Modern Tray Tables
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Tray Tables
Brass
1970s Italian Space Age Vintage Tray Tables
Plastic, Fiberglass
Late 19th Century Moroccan Moorish Antique Tray Tables
Brass
20th Century American Country Tray Tables
Wicker, Rattan
21st Century and Contemporary Philippine Art Deco Tray Tables
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Tray Tables
Stainless Steel
1960s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Metal, Brass
1960s Japanese Vintage Tray Tables
Resin
20th Century Moroccan Moorish Tray Tables
Copper
21st Century and Contemporary Philippine Art Deco Tray Tables
Brass
20th Century Moroccan Moorish Tray Tables
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Philippine Art Deco Tray Tables
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Philippine Art Deco Tray Tables
Brass
2010s Italian Modern Tray Tables
Leather, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Tray Tables
Stainless Steel
2010s Italian Modern Tray Tables
Brass
2010s Italian Tray Tables
Marble
2010s Italian Modern Tray Tables
Leather
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Laminate, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Philippine Art Deco Tray Tables
Brass
1890s Indian Antique Tray Tables
Brass
1970s French Neoclassical Vintage Tray Tables
Brass
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Murano Glass
20th Century American Hollywood Regency Tray Tables
Lucite, Faux Leather
21st Century and Contemporary Philippine Art Deco Tray Tables
Brass
Early 20th Century French Louis XVI Tray Tables
Brass
Late 19th Century Moroccan Moorish Antique Tray Tables
Wood
2010s Tray Tables
Leather
2010s Italian Tray Tables
Leather
Late 19th Century Chinese Qing Antique Tray Tables
Wood, Lacquer
Early 20th Century Indian Islamic Tray Tables
Copper
20th Century American Hollywood Regency Tray Tables
Lucite, Fabric
21st Century and Contemporary Philippine Art Deco Tray Tables
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Philippine Art Deco Tray Tables
Brass
20th Century Asian Moorish Tray Tables
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Philippine Art Deco Tray Tables
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Philippine Art Deco Tray Tables
Brass
Early 19th Century Georgian Antique Tray Tables
Mahogany
1830s English Antique Tray Tables
Hardwood, Paint
20th Century British British Colonial Tray Tables
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Philippine Art Deco Tray Tables
Brass
Mid-20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Tray Tables
Tôle
Early 2000s American Tray Tables
Rattan, Mahogany
2010s Tray Tables
Copper
20th Century Asian Moorish Tray Tables
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Philippine Art Deco Tray Tables
Brass
Mid-19th Century English Regency Antique Tray Tables
Paper
Late 18th Century English George III Antique Tray Tables
Mahogany
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Brass
Early 20th Century Indian Anglo-Indian Tray Tables
Brass
Late 19th Century British Victorian Antique Tray Tables
Silver
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.