Document And Entity Information - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Nov. 24, 2018	Jan. 10, 2019	May 25, 2018
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Registrant Name	BASSETT FURNITURE INDUSTRIES INC
Entity Central Index Key	0000010329
Trading Symbol	bset
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--11-24
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding (in shares)		10,499,956
Entity Public Float			$ 285,374,778
Document Type	10-K
Document Period End Date	Nov. 24, 2018
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2018
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Shell Company	false