#18: TV Dinner Tray Tables

Originally sold at Levin Furniture, Walmart, and Kmart for a modest $10-$20, the TV dinner tray table has seen a significant increase in value, now fetching $40-$90 per set. This home accessory gained popularity in the 1970s, transforming the way people ate from traditional family dinners to cozy TV meals, with these tables becoming an indispensable part of the experience.

These vintage tray tables not only offered portability but also featured designs that, while perhaps questionable by today’s standards, exude a charming nostalgia, especially from the 1970s with their flamboyant floral patterns and bold, clashing colors. Although modern versions are still in use, the original tables from the ’70s, available on platforms like eBay for $40-$90, carry a unique appeal that’s hard to match.