Document And Entity Information - shares	9 Months Ended
	Aug. 27, 2016	Sep. 16, 2016
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Registrant Name	BASSETT FURNITURE INDUSTRIES INC
Entity Central Index Key	0000010329
Trading Symbol	bset
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--11-26
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding (in shares)		10,801,148
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Aug. 27, 2016
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2016
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Amendment Flag	false