Comprehensive Income and Shareholders' Equity (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jul. 02, 2011	Jul. 03, 2010	Jul. 02, 2011	Jul. 03, 2010
Comprehensive Income, Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract]
Net income (loss)	$ 4,603,000	$ 4,765,000	$ 2,806,000	$ (1,088,000)
Other comprehensive income, net of income tax as applicable:
Foreign currency translation adjustments	321,000	151,000	542,000	146,000
Change in unrealized gains (losses) on marketable securities	92,000	0	57,000	0
Change in pension and postretirement liability	80,000	79,000	159,000	158,000
Change in derivative financial instruments	(348,000)	(310,000)	470,000	(136,000)
Comprehensive income (loss)	4,748,000	4,685,000	4,034,000	(920,000)
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	(54,000)	62,000	(96,000)	195,000
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to HNI Corporation	4,802,000	4,623,000	4,130,000	(1,115,000)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract]
Balance at January 1, 2011			1,659,000
Balance at July 2, 2011	2,887,000		2,887,000
Treasury Stock [Abstract]
Treasury stock shares acquired			323,965
Cost of treasury stock acquired			10,000,000
Stock Repurchase Program, Remaining Authorized Repurchase Amount			135,800,000
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract]
Balance at January 1, 2011			1,659,000
Year-to-date change			1,228,000
Balance at July 2, 2011	2,887,000		2,887,000
Accumulated Translation Adjustment [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract]
Balance at January 1, 2011			4,415,000
Year-to-date change			542,000
Balance at July 2, 2011	4,957,000		4,957,000
Accumulated Net Unrealized Investment Gain (Loss) [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract]
Balance at January 1, 2011			(48,000)
Year-to-date change			57,000
Balance at July 2, 2011	9,000		9,000
Accumulated Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract]
Balance at January 1, 2011			(2,313,000)
Year-to-date change			159,000
Balance at July 2, 2011	(2,154,000)		(2,154,000)
Accumulated Net Gain (Loss) from Designated or Qualifying Cash Flow Hedges [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract]
Balance at January 1, 2011			(395,000)
Year-to-date change			470,000
Balance at July 2, 2011	$ 75,000		$ 75,000