Business Segment Information (Details) (USD $) In Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Oct. 01, 2011	Oct. 02, 2010	Oct. 01, 2011	Oct. 02, 2010	Jan. 01, 2011
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 504,220	$ 458,853	$ 1,333,181	$ 1,220,581
Income before income taxes	38,102	28,278	42,914	29,274
Depreciation and amortization	11,373	14,257	35,135	45,361
Capital expenditures	5,622	6,248	20,194	18,676
Identifiable assets	1,055,184	1,002,766	1,055,184	1,002,766	997,880
Operating Segments [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total operating profit	48,374	37,068	72,780	60,483
Office Furniture [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	421,873	387,382	1,125,643	1,030,112
Operations before restructuring charges	41,776	33,776	69,161	65,701
Restructuring and impairment charges	(277)	251	(1,711)	(2,720)
Total operating profit	41,499	34,027	67,450	62,981
Depreciation and amortization	8,855	11,096	27,308	34,468
Capital expenditures	4,578	4,018	15,812	14,625
Identifiable assets	618,588	601,661	618,588	601,661
Hearth Products [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	82,347	71,471	207,538	190,469
Operations before restructuring charges	6,875	3,041	5,749	(2,397)
Restructuring and impairment charges	0	0	(419)	(101)
Total operating profit	6,875	3,041	5,330	(2,498)
Depreciation and amortization	1,818	2,559	5,925	9,052
Capital expenditures	975	614	1,980	1,443
Identifiable assets	282,168	291,213	282,168	291,213
Unallocated Amount to Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Unallocated corporate expense	(10,272)	(8,790)	(29,866)	(31,209)
Depreciation and amortization	700	602	1,902	1,841
Capital expenditures	69	1,616	2,402	2,608
Identifiable assets	$ 154,428	$ 109,892	$ 154,428	$ 109,892