CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 28, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Net Cash Flows From (To) Operating Activities:
Net income	$ 63,369	$ 48,326	$ 45,748
Noncash items included in net income:
Depreciation and amortization	46,621	43,360	46,287
Other postretirement and post-employment benefits	1,309	1,678	1,660
Stock-based compensation	7,451	6,437	7,171
Excess tax benefits from stock compensation	(2,211)	(4,156)	(99)
Deferred income taxes	18,451	7,060	12,400
Net loss on sales, retirements and impairments of long-lived assets and intangibles	344	1,032	273
Loss on sale of business	2,177	0	0
Stock issued to retirement plan	5,352	4,864	4,906
Other – net	4,419	2,557	849
Changes in working capital, excluding acquisition and disposition:
Receivables	(21,029)	(6,993)	(6,924)
Inventories	1,606	9,546	(11,279)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	526	(1,799)	(4,352)
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	25,863	27,531	39,866
Income taxes	4,525	4,662	(4,444)
Increase (decrease) in other liabilities	6,229	672	2,216
Net cash flows from (to) operating activities	165,002	144,777	134,278
Net Cash Flows From (To) Investing Activities:
Capital expenditures	(60,977)	(39,473)	(27,795)
Proceeds from sale of property, plant, and equipment	421	1,182	3,255
Capitalized software	(17,918)	(20,797)	(3,348)
Acquisition spending, net of cash acquired	0	(26,894)	(54,990)
Purchase of investments	(1,107)	(5,554)	(15,555)
Sales or maturities of investments	5,053	4,762	6,480
Other - net	(891)	961	412
Net cash flows from (to) investing activities	(75,419)	(85,813)	(91,541)
Net Cash Flows From (To) Financing Activities:
Purchase of HNI Corporation common stock	(27,488)	(21,021)	(10,000)
Withholding related to net share settlements of equity based awards	(1,598)	(5,995)	0
Proceeds from long-term debt	157,967	148,844	5,455
Payments of note and long-term debt and other financing	(163,524)	(179,333)	(26,523)
Proceeds from sales of HNI Corporation common stock	9,591	6,396	3,198
Excess tax benefits from stock compensation	2,211	4,156	99
Dividends paid	(43,494)	(43,041)	(41,250)
Net cash flows from (to) financing activities	(66,335)	(89,994)	(69,021)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	23,248	(31,030)	(26,284)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	41,782	72,812	99,096
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	$ 65,030	$ 41,782	$ 72,812