Consolidated Statements Of Operations (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Consolidated Statements Of Operations [Abstract]
Net revenue	$ 274,773	$ 274,268	$ 278,473
Cost of goods sold	157,912	138,438	134,370
Gross profit	116,861	135,830	144,103
Expenses:
Selling and operating	110,008	117,152	131,659
Corporate, general and administration	13,291	12,534	13,225
Subsidiary's acquisition-related costs	2,393
Other general expense	22,456
Total expenses	148,148	129,686	144,884
Income (loss) from operations	(31,287)	6,144	(781)
Loss from deconsolidation of subsidiary	(4,550)
Interest and other income (expense)	(90)	1,291	(1,524)
Income (loss) before income taxes and noncontrolling interest	(35,927)	7,435	(2,305)
Income tax expense (benefit)	(10,657)	2,366	(2,088)
Net income (loss)	(25,270)	5,069	(217)
Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	398	(794)	513
Net income (loss) attributable to Gaiam, Inc.	$ (24,872)	$ 4,275	$ 296
Net income (loss) per share attributable to Gaiam, Inc. common shareholders:
Basic	$ (1.08)	$ 0.18	$ 0.01
Diluted	$ (1.08)	$ 0.18	$ 0.01
Weighted-average shares outstanding:
Basic	23,126	23,226	23,306
Diluted	23,126	23,383	23,378