Comprehensive Income and Shareholders' Equity (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Oct. 01, 2011	Oct. 02, 2010	Oct. 01, 2011	Oct. 02, 2010
Comprehensive Income, Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract]
Net income	$ 24,916,000	$ 15,635,000	$ 27,722,000	$ 14,547,000
Other comprehensive income, net of income tax as applicable:
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(145,000)	361,000	397,000	508,000
Change in unrealized gains (losses) on marketable securities	97,000	8,000	154,000	8,000
Change in pension and postretirement liability	79,000	79,000	238,000	237,000
Change in derivative financial instruments	(485,000)	805,000	(14,000)	668,000
Comprehensive income	24,462,000	16,888,000	28,497,000	15,968,000
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	(31,000)	(46,000)	(127,000)	149,000
Comprehensive income attributable to HNI Corporation	24,493,000	16,934,000	28,624,000	15,819,000
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract]
Balance at January 1, 2011			1,659,000
Balance at October 1, 2011	2,434,000		2,434,000
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			775,000
Balance at October 1, 2011	2,434,000		2,434,000
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			397,000
Balance at October 1, 2011	4,812,000		4,812,000
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			154,000
Balance at October 1, 2011	106,000		106,000
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			238,000
Balance at October 1, 2011	(2,075,000)		(2,075,000)
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			(14,000)
Balance at October 1, 2011	$ (409,000)		$ (409,000)