CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Oct. 01, 2016	Oct. 03, 2015	Oct. 01, 2016	Oct. 03, 2015
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 584,629	$ 615,850	$ 1,622,204	$ 1,707,553
Cost of sales	363,075	384,219	1,006,019	1,085,298
Gross profit	221,554	231,631	616,185	622,255
Selling and administrative expenses	169,495	170,371	496,920	506,354
Restructuring charges	399	172	2,057	(12)
Operating income	51,660	61,088	117,208	115,913
Interest income	80	110	221	318
Interest expense	1,091	1,733	4,096	5,689
Income before income taxes	50,649	59,465	113,333	110,542
Income taxes	16,837	18,619	38,652	37,367
Net income	33,812	40,846	74,681	73,175
Less: Net loss attributable to the noncontrolling interest	(1)	(2)	(4)	(30)
Net income attributable to HNI Corporation	$ 33,813	$ 40,848	$ 74,685	$ 73,205
Net income attributable to HNI Corporation per common share – basic (in dollars per share)	$ 0.76	$ 0.92	$ 1.68	$ 1.65
Average number of common shares outstanding – basic	44,547,375	44,263,027	44,412,310	44,327,608
Net income attributable to HNI Corporation per common share – diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.74	$ 0.90	$ 1.64	$ 1.61
Average number of common shares outstanding – diluted	45,844,566	45,402,537	45,488,067	45,516,521
Foreign currency translation adjustments	$ (80)	$ (1,388)	$ (678)	$ (1,241)
Change in unrealized gains (losses) on marketable securities (net of tax)	(62)	24	11	22
Change in derivative financial instruments (net of tax)	422	(273)	(1,131)	297
Other comprehensive gain (loss) net of tax	280	(1,637)	(1,798)	(922)
Comprehensive income	34,092	39,209	72,883	72,253
Less: Comprehensive (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	(1)	(2)	(4)	(30)
Comprehensive income attributable to HNI Corporation	$ 34,093	$ 39,211	$ 72,887	$ 72,283