CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 28, 2014	Jun. 29, 2013	Jun. 28, 2014	Jun. 29, 2013
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 509,143	$ 510,698	$ 961,344	$ 952,995
Cost of sales	328,010	336,040	625,039	630,555
Gross profit	181,133	174,658	336,305	322,440
Selling and administrative expenses	155,288	152,078	300,498	296,634
(Gain) loss on sale of assets	(1,346)	2,460	(9,746)	2,460
Restructuring and impairment	10,282	(35)	10,254	121
Operating income	16,909	20,155	35,299	23,225
Interest income	146	158	216	310
Interest expense	2,187	2,725	4,389	5,393
Income before income taxes	14,868	17,588	31,126	18,142
Income taxes	5,203	6,189	10,445	5,564
Net income	9,665	11,399	20,681	12,578
Less: Net (loss) attributable to the noncontrolling interest	(40)	(22)	(120)	(251)
Net income attributable to HNI Corporation	9,705	11,421	20,801	12,829
Net income attributable to HNI Corporation per common share - basic	$ 0.22	$ 0.25	$ 0.46	$ 0.28
Average number of common shares outstanding - basic	45,019,783	45,412,668	45,029,148	45,283,716
Net income attributable to HNI Corporation per common share - diluted	$ 0.21	$ 0.25	$ 0.45	$ 0.28
Average number of common shares outstanding - diluted	45,867,927	46,109,563	45,843,118	45,891,246
Cash dividends per common share	$ 0.25	$ 0.24	$ 0.49	$ 0.48
Other comprehensive income, net of tax	(49)	(2,086)	398	(2,057)
Comprehensive income	9,616	9,313	21,079	10,521
Less: Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	(40)	(22)	(120)	(251)
Comprehensive income attributable to HNI Corporation	$ 9,656	$ 9,335	$ 21,199	$ 10,772