Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 01, 2022	Jan. 02, 2021	Dec. 28, 2019
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 2,184,408	$ 1,955,363	$ 2,246,947
Cost of sales	1,427,048	1,234,243	1,413,185
Gross profit	757,360	721,120	833,762
Selling and administrative expenses	665,641	620,927	680,049
Restructuring and impairment charges	6,299	38,818	2,371
Operating income	85,420	61,375	151,342
Interest expense, net	7,153	6,990	8,628
Income before income taxes	78,267	54,385	142,714
Income tax expense	18,456	12,466	32,211
Net income	59,811	41,919	110,503
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interest	(3)	2	(2)
Net income attributable to HNI Corporation	$ 59,814	$ 41,917	$ 110,505
Average number of common shares outstanding – basic (in shares)	43,438	42,689	43,101
Net income attributable to HNI Corporation per common share – basic (in dollars per share)	$ 1.38	$ 0.98	$ 2.56
Average number of common shares outstanding - diluted (in shares)	43,964	42,956	43,495
Net income attributable to HNI Corporation per common share – diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 1.36	$ 0.98	$ 2.54
Foreign currency translation adjustments	$ 417	$ 1,841	$ 61
Change in unrealized gains (losses) on marketable securities, net of tax	(301)	265	251
Change in pension and post-retirement liability, net of tax	1,238	(920)	(2,833)
Change in derivative financial instruments, net of tax	1,024	(2,266)	(1,953)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	2,378	(1,080)	(4,474)
Comprehensive income	62,189	40,839	106,029
Less: Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interest	(3)	2	(2)
Comprehensive income attributable to HNI Corporation	$ 62,192	$ 40,837	$ 106,031