CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Oct. 01, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Oct. 01, 2016
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 599,455	$ 584,629	$ 1,591,607	$ 1,622,204
Cost of sales	378,211	363,075	1,011,888	1,006,019
Gross profit	221,244	221,554	579,719	616,185
Selling and administrative expenses	169,547	169,495	495,897	496,920
Gain on sale and license of assets	(6,805)	0	(6,805)	0
Restructuring charges	783	399	3,325	2,057
Operating income	57,719	51,660	87,302	117,208
Interest income	71	80	467	221
Interest expense	1,835	1,091	4,228	4,096
Income before income taxes	55,955	50,649	83,541	113,333
Income taxes	18,624	16,837	27,573	38,652
Net income	37,331	33,812	55,968	74,681
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interest	60	(1)	12	(4)
Net income attributable to HNI Corporation	$ 37,271	$ 33,813	$ 55,956	$ 74,685
Average number of common shares outstanding – basic (in shares)	43,682,805	44,547,375	43,970,377	44,412,310
Net income attributable to HNI Corporation per common share – basic (in dollars per share)	$ 0.85	$ 0.76	$ 1.27	$ 1.68
Average number of common shares outstanding – diluted (in shares)	44,479,117	45,844,566	45,078,719	45,488,067
Net income attributable to HNI Corporation per common share – diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.84	$ 0.74	$ 1.24	$ 1.64
Foreign currency translation adjustments	$ 320	$ (80)	$ 779	$ (678)
Change in unrealized gains (losses) on marketable securities (net of tax)	7	(62)	44	11
Change in derivative financial instruments (net of tax)	38	422	(90)	(1,131)
Other comprehensive income (loss) (net of tax)	365	280	733	(1,798)
Comprehensive income	37,696	34,092	56,701	72,883
Less: Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interest	60	(1)	12	(4)
Comprehensive income attributable to HNI Corporation	$ 37,636	$ 34,093	$ 56,689	$ 72,887