It’s hard to find good TV trays. Many are made of cheap plastic, cheap metal, or a generic-finished wood, which can make it difficult to find one that actually enhances your decor in addition to being merely useful. Especially if you have a sophisticated modern decor, even an otherwise nice light oak folding table  would look more than a little out of place. But never fear – your search isn’t in vain. These eight tv trays are both attractive and functional, and will work great with a modern decor.

Douglas Side Table From Nuevo Living

Starting simple, this Douglas Table from Nuevo Living is a fairly standard TV tray, with a collapsible X construction and a conveniently handled tray on top for easy carrying. But what sets it apart from ordinary bargain bin tv trays is that the legs are made of highly reflective, heavy duty stainless steel, and the tray itself is covered with beautiful leather upholstery. Available in three different colors (black brown and white), these TV trays pair well with a variety of different leather furniture and accents, and are perfect for a leather-based modern decor.

Zuo Modern Bard Folding Table

Browse Side Tables and TV Trays:

For a look that’s a little more industrial, I’d go with this Bard Folding Table from Zuo. It’s ever so slightly on the larger side for a TV tray, but folds and hangs neatly on the included standing storage. Its all-aluminum construction makes it incredibly lightweight, and the rugged machine finish gives it a grungier modern style. Great for a loft in a renovated warehouse.

Edie Side Table From EuroStyle

Of course, if you’re reading this because you’d like to avoid the whole stow-and-go folding table aspect of tv trays in the first place, you’d probably be more interested in something like this Edie Side Table from EuroStyles. The sleek chrome and tempered glass construction is all modern, and the open C-shape means that you can use it both as a freestanding table, and as a TV tray. Simply slide the bottom edge in beneath your favorite sofa, loveseat, or recliner, and the top tray will be at perfect eating level.

Sabella TV Table From EuroStyles

This type of tray comes in a wide variety of sizes and styles, but many of them have a much more modern bent than your average light wood or laminate folding tables. This Sabella Tray is about as simple as the style comes, nearly square and about the size of a side table, but it’ll get the job done quite nicely. In fact, because this type of table actually covers your lap, it provides even more safeguard against spillage, and makes a nice laptop stand in a pinch.

El Side Table From Nuevo

Maybe moreso with other types of TV trays, though, you really, really want to double check the height when you’re shopping for ones that slide under your sofa like this El Side Table. Why? Because depending on the height of your sofa, how far it stands off the ground, and how much space you need for your legs, the wrong table might be a little uncomfortable or, at worst, won’t fit at all. They also happen not to be very adjustable, so take care to know what size you need before you order.

Dell Marble Side Table From Nuevo

That said, even the simplest rectangular trays are available in a wide variety of modern materials, from metal, glass, and leather all the way up to fine marble or granite tops, usually in gray scale colors like this gorgeous Dell Side Table. These quality materials make for a sturdy, nicely weighty (but still easy to move) piece that you can keep placed beside your sofa or chair and simply turn and slide it when you need it. The look is infinitely more sophisticated than your average folding table, but will still give you the utility you need.

Aurora Coffee Table From EuroStyle

Some of my very favorite TV trays, though, are ones that are completely re-imagined. This Aurora Coffee Table is a personal favorite. Instead of having to have spare pieces of furniture that you have to move or set up, all you need to do to turn this coffee table into a sofa-length, dining-height tray is pull the top towards you. The hydraulic mechanisms raise and lock the top face of the table right in front of you, creating a perfect dining or work area without having to move the table itself at all. Then, when you’re done, just push it back down into place, and no one will be the wiser.

Marlowe Coffee Table And TV Tray From Nuevo

These, too, come in a few different modern designs. This Marlow Cocktail Table is a little better suited for one, as only one half of the table extends, but the other half is composed of a large drawer to store a few napkins, a spare set of silverware, or your TV Guide. Even the classiest among us succumb to the temptation of eating in front of the TV once in a while, but that doesn’t mean you have to make a mess or clutter your home with a lot of extra furniture. In fact, with the right TV trays, no one will never know your secret…unless you want to show them how your awesome new table works! What are you looking for in your prospective TV trays? Is functionality or appearance more important? Let me know in the comments!