CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Jan. 01, 2011	Jan. 02, 2010
Net Cash Flows From (To) Operating Activities:
Net income (loss)	$ 45,748	$ 27,123	$ (6,259)
Noncash items included in net income:
Depreciation and amortization	46,287	58,630	74,867
Other postretirement and post-employment benefits	1,660	1,691	1,849
Stock-based compensation	7,171	6,601	3,830
Excess tax benefits from stock compensation	(99)	(25)	(8)
Deferred income taxes	12,400	7,196	(5,844)
Net loss on sales, retirements and impairments of long-lived assets and intangibles	273	8,951	26,025
Stock issued to retirement plan	4,906	5,400	6,565
Other – net	849	2,025	2,338
Changes in working capital, excluding acquisition and disposition:
Receivables	(6,924)	(30,027)	74,593
Inventories	(11,279)	(4,391)	19,146
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	(4,352)	(527)	9,317
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	39,856	14,412	(14,313)
Income taxes	(4,444)	529	8,514
Increase (decrease) in other liabilities	2,226	(3,204)	(7,415)
Net cash flows from (to) operating activities	134,278	94,384	193,205
Net Cash Flows From (To) Investing Activities:
Capital expenditures	(27,795)	(25,683)	(16,017)
Proceeds from sale of property, plant, and equipment	3,255	2,289	6,733
Capitalized software	(3,348)	(1,039)	(1,537)
Acquisition spending, net of cash acquired	(54,990)	(149)	(500)
Purchase of long-term investments	(15,555)	(15,040)	(9,710)
Sales or maturities of long-term investments	6,480	10,624	33,872
Other - net	412	3,945	440
Net cash flows from (to) investing activities	(91,541)	(25,053)	13,281
Net Cash Flows From (To) Financing Activities:
Purchase of HNI Corporation common stock	(10,000)	(17,817)	0
Proceeds from long-term debt	5,455	50,157	97,000
Payments of note and long-term debt and other financing	(26,523)	(54,241)	(219,884)
Proceeds from sales of HNI Corporation common stock	3,198	3,004	2,893
Excess tax benefits from stock compensation	99	25	8
Dividends paid	(41,250)	(38,737)	(38,667)
Net cash flows from (to) financing activities	(69,021)	(57,609)	(158,650)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(26,284)	11,722	47,836
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	99,096	87,374	39,538
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	72,812	99,096	87,374
Cash paid during the year for:
Interest	11,968	12,062	12,316
Income taxes	$ 14,099	$ 7,079	$ (4,528)