Document and Entity Information	9 Months Ended
	Oct. 01, 2011
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Registrant Name	HNI CORP
Entity Central Index Key	0000048287
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Oct. 01, 2011
Amendment Flag	false
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2011
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	44,825,933