CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Jan. 02, 2016	Jan. 03, 2015
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 2,203,489	$ 2,304,419	$ 2,222,695
Cost of sales	1,368,476	1,457,021	1,438,495
Gross profit	835,013	847,398	784,200
Selling and administrative expenses	667,744	672,125	649,055
(Gain) loss on sale of assets	22,572	(195)	(10,723)
Restructuring and impairment charges	11,005	11,792	33,019
Operating income	133,692	163,676	112,849
Interest income	305	395	418
Interest expense	5,086	6,901	8,336
Income (loss) before income taxes	128,911	157,170	104,931
Income taxes	43,273	51,764	43,776
Net income	85,638	105,406	61,155
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to the non-controlling interest	61	(30)	(316)
Net income attributable to HNI Corporation	$ 85,577	$ 105,436	$ 61,471
Net income attributable to HNI Corporation per common share – basic (in dollars per share)	$ 1.93	$ 2.38	$ 1.37
Weighted average shares outstanding – basic (shares)	44,413,941	44,285,298	44,759,716
Net income attributable to HNI Corporation per common share – diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 1.88	$ 2.32	$ 1.35
Weighted average shares outstanding - diluted (shares)	45,502,219	45,440,653	45,578,872
Foreign currency translation adjustments	$ (1,510)	$ (1,901)	$ (691)
Change in unrealized gains and (losses) on marketable securities (net of tax)	(103)	(39)	(44)
Change in pension and post-retirement liability (net of tax)	339	1,256	(4,622)
Change in derivative financial instruments (net of tax)	1,460	873	(983)
Other comprehensive income (loss) (net of tax)	186	189	(6,340)
Comprehensive income	85,824	105,595	54,815
Less: Comprehensive (loss) attributable to non-controlling interest	61	(30)	(316)
Comprehensive income attributable to HNI Corporation	$ 85,763	$ 105,625	$ 55,131