CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Jan. 01, 2011	Jan. 02, 2010
Net sales	$ 1,833,450	$ 1,686,728	$ 1,623,327
Cost of products sold	1,194,387	1,101,112	1,060,526
Gross profit	639,063	585,616	562,801
Selling and administrative expenses	554,315	518,257	513,776
Restructuring related and impairment charges	3,261	9,449	40,443
Operating income	81,487	57,910	8,582
Interest income	623	471	415
Interest expense	11,951	11,903	12,080
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	70,159	46,478	(3,083)
Income taxes	24,411	16,797	(1,485)
Income (loss) from continuing operations, less applicable income taxes	45,748	29,681	(1,598)
Discontinued operations, less applicable income taxes	0	(2,558)	(4,661)
Net income (loss)	45,748	27,123	(6,259)
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to the noncontrolling interest	(238)	182	183
Net income (loss) attributable to HNI Corporation	$ 45,986	$ 26,941	$ (6,442)
Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to HNI Corporation per common share - basic	$ 1.03	$ 0.66	$ (0.04)
Discontinued operations attributable to HNI Corporation per common share - basic	$ 0.00	$ (0.06)	$ (0.1)
Net income (loss) attributable to HNI Corporation per common share - basic	$ 1.03	$ 0.6	$ (0.14)
Weighted average shares outstanding - basic	44,803,248	44,993,934	44,888,809
Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to HNI Corporation per common share - diluted	$ 1.01	$ 0.65	$ (0.04)
Discontinued operations attributable to HNI Corporation per common share - diluted	$ 0.00	$ (0.06)	$ (0.1)
Net income (loss) attributable to HNI Corporation per common share - diluted	$ 1.01	$ 0.59	$ (0.14)
Weighted average shares outstanding - diluted	45,694,278	45,808,704	44,888,809