Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) and Shareholders' Equity (Reclassification) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jul. 02, 2016	Jul. 04, 2015	Jul. 02, 2016	Jul. 04, 2015
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Selling and administrative expenses	$ (162,319)	$ (167,278)	$ (327,425)	$ (335,982)
Tax (expense) or benefit	(15,934)	(13,680)	(21,815)	(18,748)
Net income attributable to HNI Corporation	29,029	23,879	40,872	32,357
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member] | Derivative Financial Instruments [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Net income attributable to HNI Corporation	(203)	(383)	(262)	(837)
Interest Rate Swap [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member] | Derivative Financial Instruments [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Selling and administrative expenses	(322)	0	(415)	0
Tax (expense) or benefit	119	0	153	0
Net income attributable to HNI Corporation	(203)	0	(262)	0
Diesel Hedge [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member] | Derivative Financial Instruments [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Selling and administrative expenses	0	(612)	0	(1,307)
Tax (expense) or benefit	0	229	0	470
Net income attributable to HNI Corporation	$ 0	$ (383)	$ 0	$ (837)