Shareholders' Equity (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Equity [Abstract]

Schedule of Stock by Class

	2011	2010	2009
Common Stock, $1 Par Value
Authorized	200,000,000	200,000,000	200,000,000
Issued and outstanding	44,855,207	44,840,701	45,093,379
Preferred Stock, $1 Par Value
Authorized	2,000,000	2,000,000	2,000,000
Issued and outstanding	—	—	—

Schedule of Comprehensive Income Loss Table

The following table reconciles net income to comprehensive income attributable to HNI Corporation:

(in thousands)	2011			2010			2009
Net income (loss)	$	45,748		$	27,123		$	(6,259	)
Other comprehensive income, net of income tax as applicable:
Foreign currency translation adjustments	796			889			(94		)
Change in unrealized gains (losses) on marketable securities	191			(48		)	134
Change in pension and postretirement liability	(1,270		)	397			745
Change in derivative financial instruments	339			1,195			348
Comprehensive income (loss)	45,804			29,556			(5,126		)
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest	(238		)	182			183
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to HNI Corporation	$	46,042		$	29,374		$	(5,309	)

Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss Table

The following table summarizes the components of accumulated other comprehensive loss and the changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax as applicable:

(in thousands)	Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment			Unrealized Gains  Losses) on Marketable Securities			Pension Postretirement Liability			Derivative Financial Instruments			Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
Balance at January 3, 2009	$	3,620		$	(134	)	$	(3,455	)	$	(1,938	)	$	(1,907	)
Change during year	(94		)	134			745			348			1,133
Balance at January 2, 2010	3,526			—			(2,710		)	(1,590		)	(774		)
Change during year	889			(48		)	397			1,195			2,433
Balance at January 1, 2011	4,415			(48		)	(2,313		)	(395		)	1,659
Change during year	796			191			(1,270		)	339			56
Balance at December 31, 2011	$	5,211		$	143		$	(3,583	)	$	(56	)	$	1,715

Schedule of Dividends Declared and Paid Per Share

Cash dividends declared and paid per share for each year are:

(In dollars)	2011	2010	2009
Common shares	0.92	0.86	0.86