CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Jan. 02, 2016	Jan. 03, 2015
Net Cash Flows From (To) Operating Activities:
Net income (loss)	$ 85,638	$ 105,406	$ 61,155
Noncash items included in net income:
Depreciation and amortization	68,947	57,564	56,722
Other post-retirement and post-employment benefits	1,643	1,856	1,239
Stock-based compensation	8,141	9,097	8,597
Excess tax benefits from stock compensation	(2,713)	(1,581)	(2,161)
Deferred income taxes	20,495	15,257	14,655
(Gain) loss on sale, retirement and impairment of long-lived assets and intangibles, net	28,868	12,463	19,055
Other – net	4,523	(1,216)	4,693
Net increase (decrease) in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions and divestitures	17,430	(28,075)	2,322
Increase (decrease) in other liabilities	(9,610)	2,581	1,519
Net cash flows from (to) operating activities	223,362	173,352	167,796
Net Cash Flows From (To) Investing Activities:
Capital expenditures	93,425	82,610	74,323
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment	1,055	2,201	16,361
Capitalized software	(26,159)	(32,356)	(38,390)
Acquisition spending, net of cash acquired	(34,302)	0	(61,823)
Purchase of investments	(8,724)	(3,660)	(3,801)
Sales or maturities of investments	8,619	3,550	7,770
Other – net	(90)	0	(4)
Net cash flows from (to) investing activities	(153,026)	(112,875)	(154,210)
Net Cash Flows From (To) Financing Activities:
Proceeds from sale of HNI Corporation common stock	21,596	12,276	18,469
Withholding related to net share settlements of equity based awards	0	(171)	(79)
Purchase of HNI Corporation common stock	(55,825)	(26,657)	(67,908)
Proceeds from note and long-term debt	611,986	448,449	282,808
Payments of note and long-term debt and other financing	(594,547)	(455,222)	(235,595)
Excess tax benefits from stock compensation	2,713	1,581	2,161
Dividends paid	(48,495)	(46,329)	(44,328)
Net cash flows from (to) financing activities	(62,572)	(66,073)	(44,472)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	7,764	(5,596)	(30,886)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	28,548	34,144	65,030
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	$ 36,312	$ 28,548	$ 34,144