Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	12 Months Ended
	Nov. 26, 2022
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Basis of Accounting, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Basis of Presentation and Principles of ConsolidationThe Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of Bassett Furniture Industries, Incorporated and our majority-owned subsidiaries in which we have a controlling interest. All significant intercompany balances and transactions are eliminated in consolidation. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States ("GAAP"). Unless otherwise indicated, references in the Consolidated Financial Statements to fiscal 2022, 2021 and 2020 are to Bassett's fiscal year ended November 26, 2022, November 27, 2021 and November 28, 2020, respectively. References to the “ASC” included hereinafter refer to the Accounting Standards Codification established by the Financial Accounting Standards Board as the source of authoritative GAAP.We analyzed our licensees under the requirements for variable interest entities (“VIEs”). All of these licensees operate as BHF stores and are furniture retailers. We sell furniture to these licensees, and in some cases have extended credit beyond normal terms, made lease guarantees, guaranteed loans, or loaned directly to the licensees. We have recorded reserves for potential exposures related to these licensees. See Note 15 for disclosure of leases and lease guarantees. Based on financial projections and best available information, all licensees have sufficient equity to carry out their principal operating activities without subordinated financial support. Furthermore, we believe that the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the licensees’ operating performance continues to lie with the ownership of the licensee dealers. Our rights to assume control over or otherwise influence the licensees’ significant activities only exist pursuant to our license and security agreements and are in the nature of protective rights as contemplated under ASC Topic 810. We completed our assessment for other potential VIEs and concluded that there were none. We will continue to reassess the status of potential VIEs including when facts and circumstances surrounding each potential VIE change.We were the primary beneficiary of one VIE by virtue of our control over the activities that most significantly impact the entity’s economic performance. This VIE was created to affect a Section 1031 like-kind exchange involving the purchase of real property in the state of Florida and the sale of real property in the state of Texas (see Note 14). Subsequent to the completion of the exchange transactions during the third quarter of fiscal 2022, the sole equity interest in the VIE was transferred to Bassett and the entity is now consolidated as a wholly owned subsidiary.On January 31, 2022, we entered into a definitive agreement to sell substantially all of the assets of our wholly-owned subsidiary, Zenith Freight Lines, LLC (“Zenith”) to J.B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc. (“J.B. Hunt”). The sale was completed on February 28, 2022. Accordingly, the operations of our logistical services segment as well as the gain realized upon disposal are presented in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of income as discontinued operations, and the assets sold to and liabilities assumed by J.B. Hunt are presented in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet as of November 27, 2021 as assets and liabilities of discontinued operations held for sale. See Note 18 for additional information. Costs incurred by Bassett for logistical services performed for Bassett by Zenith are included in selling, general and administrative expenses.On September 2, 2022, we acquired 100% of the capital stock of Noa Home Inc. (“Noa Home”), a mid-priced e-commerce furniture retailer headquartered in Montreal, Canada. Noa Home has operations in Canada, Australia, Singapore and the United Kingdom. Since acquisition, Noa Home has been consolidated as a wholly-owned subsidiary. See Note 3 for additional information.
Use of Estimates, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Use of EstimatesThe preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Some of the more significant estimates include allowances for doubtful accounts, calculation of inventory reserves, the valuation of our reporting units for the purpose of testing the carrying value of goodwill, and the valuation of our right of use assets. We also utilize estimates in determining the valuation of income tax reserves, lease guarantees, insurance reserves, and assumptions related to our post-employment benefit obligations. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Policy Text Block]	Revenue RecognitionASC Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, requires a company to recognize revenue when it transfers promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration the company expects to receive in exchange for those goods or services. For our wholesale and retail segments, revenue is recognized when the risks and rewards of ownership and title to the product have transferred to the buyer.At wholesale, transfer occurs and revenue is recognized upon the shipment of goods to independent dealers and licensee-owned BHF stores. We offer payment terms varying from 30 to 60 days for wholesale customers. Estimates for returns and allowances have been recorded as a reduction of revenue based on our historical return patterns. The contracts with our licensee store owners do not provide for any royalty or license fee to be paid to us.At retail, transfer occurs and revenue is recognized upon delivery of goods to the customer. We typically collect a significant portion of the purchase price as a customer deposit upon order, with the balance typically collected upon delivery. These deposits are carried on our balance sheet as a current liability until delivery is fulfilled and amounted to $35,963 and $51,492 as of November 26, 2022 and November 27, 2021, respectively. Substantially all of the customer deposits held at November 27, 2021 related to performance obligations were satisfied during fiscal 2022 and have therefore been recognized in revenue for the year ended November 26, 2022. Estimates for returns and allowances have been recorded as a reduction of revenue based on our historical return patterns. We also sell furniture protection plans to our retail customers on behalf of a third party which is responsible for the performance obligations under the plans. Revenue from the sale of these plans is recognized upon delivery of the goods net of amounts payable to the third-party service provider.Sales commissions are expensed as part of selling, general and administrative expenses at the time revenue is recognized because the amortization period would have been one year or less. Sales commissions at wholesale are accrued upon the shipment of goods. Sales commissions at retail are accrued at the time a sale is written (i.e. – when the customer’s order is placed) and are carried as prepaid commissions in other current assets until the goods are delivered and revenue is recognized. At November 26, 2022 and November 27, 2021, our balance of prepaid commissions included in other current assets was $3,768 and $6,221, respectively.For our accounting and reporting under ASC 606, we apply the following policy elections and practical expedients:See Note 20 for disaggregated revenue information.