Document And Entity Information (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Nov. 26, 2011	Jan. 31, 2012	May 28, 2011
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	BASSETT FURNITURE INDUSTRIES INC
Document Type	10-K
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--11-26
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		11,266,439
Entity Public Float			$ 100,438,899
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Central Index Key	0000010329
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Document Period End Date	Nov. 26, 2011
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2011
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY