Note 13 - Segment Information - Wholesale Shipments by Type (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 01, 2019	May 26, 2018	Jun. 01, 2019	May 26, 2018
Sales revenue	$ 108,190	$ 116,980	$ 229,031	$ 227,252
Wholesale Segment [Member]
Sales revenue	$ 63,131	$ 63,788	$ 135,912	$ 126,888
Sales, revenue, percent	100.00%	100.00%	100.00%	100.00%
Wholesale Segment [Member] | Upholstery [Member]
Sales revenue	$ 36,853	$ 36,506	$ 78,391	$ 70,074
Sales, revenue, percent	58.40%	57.20%	57.70%	55.20%
Wholesale Segment [Member] | Bassett Leather [Member]
Sales revenue	$ 4,463	$ 5,082	$ 10,234	$ 11,606
Sales, revenue, percent	7.10%	8.00%	7.50%	9.10%
Wholesale Segment [Member] | Bassett Custom Wood [Member]
Sales revenue	$ 10,526	$ 11,184	$ 22,201	$ 22,171
Sales, revenue, percent	16.70%	17.50%	16.30%	17.50%
Wholesale Segment [Member] | Bassett Casegoods [Member]
Sales revenue	$ 9,979	$ 9,948	$ 22,619	$ 20,745
Sales, revenue, percent	15.80%	15.60%	16.60%	16.30%
Wholesale Segment [Member] | Accessories [Member]
Sales revenue	$ 1,310	$ 1,068	$ 2,467	$ 2,292
Sales, revenue, percent	2.10%	1.70%	1.80%	1.80%