Tray Tables
20th Century Chinoiserie Tray Tables
Metal
1960s Japanese Vintage Tray Tables
Resin
1930s British Regency Revival Vintage Tray Tables
Brass
Early 20th Century Spanish Moorish Tray Tables
Brass
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Metal, Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Philippine Art Deco Tray Tables
Brass
1930s American Art Deco Vintage Tray Tables
Aluminum, Brass
19th Century American George III Antique Tray Tables
Mahogany
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Brass
2010s Indian Tray Tables
Iron
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Brass
2010s Italian Tray Tables
Travertine
19th Century Chinese Qing Antique Tray Tables
Hardwood
Late 20th Century Hong Kong Chinese Export Tray Tables
Bamboo, Cane, Reed
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Tray Tables
Metal
Early 20th Century French Art Nouveau Tray Tables
Bronze
21st Century and Contemporary Philippine Art Deco Tray Tables
Wood, Shagreen Stingray
Early 20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Tray Tables
Metal
Early 20th Century English Tray Tables
Wood
Late 19th Century British Victorian Antique Tray Tables
Metal
2010s Italian Tray Tables
Leather, Rosewood
Early 1900s French Antique Tray Tables
Metal
Early 20th Century European Edwardian Tray Tables
Burlap, Oak
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Tray Tables
Metal
Mid-20th Century French Baroque Tray Tables
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Indonesian Modern Tray Tables
Bronze
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Laminate, Wood
1970s Chinese Hollywood Regency Vintage Tray Tables
Wicker
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Silver Plate, Brass
1930s British Georgian Vintage Tray Tables
Mahogany
Mid-20th Century English Tray Tables
Brass
1890s Chinese Qing Antique Tray Tables
Mother-of-Pearl, Teak
Mid-19th Century English Victorian Antique Tray Tables
Ironstone
Mid-20th Century Italian Hollywood Regency Tray Tables
Brass
20th Century Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Metal
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Steel
1960s Italian Hollywood Regency Vintage Tray Tables
Metal
1990s Italian Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Metal
Early 20th Century North American Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Guatemalan Modern Tray Tables
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Philippine Art Deco Tray Tables
Brass
1930s American Vintage Tray Tables
Metal
Early 19th Century English Regency Antique Tray Tables
Brass
20th Century Campaign Tray Tables
Brass
20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Metal, Nickel
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Brass
19th Century English Campaign Antique Tray Tables
Wood, Mahogany
21st Century and Contemporary Philippine Art Deco Tray Tables
Brass
1970s Swedish Vintage Tray Tables
Wood
20th Century French Colonial Revival Tray Tables
Wicker, Cane, Rattan, Wood
Mid-19th Century American Antique Tray Tables
Metal
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Metal
20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Glass
Late 20th Century Indian Agra Tray Tables
Marble
1960s Vintage Tray Tables
Hardwood
1960s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Tray Tables
Teak
Mid-20th Century Unknown Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Wood
1960s English Georgian Vintage Tray Tables
Mahogany
1960s Danish Vintage Tray Tables
Oak, Teak
21st Century and Contemporary Slovenian Tray Tables
Plywood
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.





