Summary of Reconciliation of Carrying Amount of Total Equity (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014
Equity [Line Items]
Beginning Balance			$ 99,559
Issuance of Gaiam, Inc. common stock for stock option exercises and share-based compensation			624
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interest			(486)
Comprehensive loss:
Net (loss) income	$ (1,109)	$ (2,214)	(4,993)	$ (4,286)
Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of taxes of $40	(25)	26	(92)	37
Comprehensive loss	(1,134)	$ (2,537)	(5,085)	$ (4,366)
Ending Balance	94,612		94,612
Comprehensive Loss
Comprehensive loss:
Net (loss) income			(4,993)
Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of taxes of $40			(92)
Comprehensive loss			(5,085)
Accumulated Deficit
Equity [Line Items]
Beginning Balance			(76,329)
Comprehensive loss:
Net (loss) income			(5,009)
Ending Balance	(81,338)		(81,338)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
Equity [Line Items]
Beginning Balance			(200)
Comprehensive loss:
Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of taxes of $40			(27)
Ending Balance	(227)		(227)
Class A and Class B Common Stock
Equity [Line Items]
Beginning Balance			3
Comprehensive loss:
Ending Balance	3		3
Paid-in Capital
Equity [Line Items]
Beginning Balance			171,315
Issuance of Gaiam, Inc. common stock for stock option exercises and share-based compensation			624
Comprehensive loss:
Ending Balance	171,939		171,939
Noncontrolling Interest
Equity [Line Items]
Beginning Balance			4,770
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interest			(486)
Comprehensive loss:
Net (loss) income			16
Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of taxes of $40			(65)
Ending Balance	$ 4,235		$ 4,235