CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012	Apr. 02, 2011
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 445,212	$ 396,151
Cost of sales	298,385	261,427
Gross profit	146,827	134,724
Selling and administrative expenses	143,734	132,413
Restructuring and impairment	897	1,390
Operating income	2,196	921
Interest income	179	133
Interest expense	2,614	3,589
Income (loss) before income taxes	(239)	(2,535)
Income taxes	(86)	(738)
Net income (loss)	(153)	(1,797)
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to the noncontrolling interest	(12)	(42)
Net income (loss) attributable to HNI Corporation	(141)	(1,755)
Net income (loss) attributable to HNI Corporation per common share - basic	$ 0.00	$ (0.04)
Average number of common shares outstanding - basic	45,151,526	44,852,553
Net income (loss) attributable to HNI Corporation per common share - diluted	$ 0.00	$ (0.04)
Average number of common shares outstanding - diluted	45,151,526	44,852,553
Cash dividends per common share	$ 0.23	$ 0.23
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax of 2012 $346; 2011 $522	877	1,083
Comprehensive income (loss)	724	(714)
Less: Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	(12)	(42)
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to HNI Corporation	$ 736	$ (672)