Earnings per Share - Reconciliation (Details) - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2016	Apr. 25, 2015	Apr. 26, 2014
Numerator (basic and diluted):
Net income attributable to La-Z-Boy Incorporated	$ 79,252	$ 70,773	$ 55,056
Income allocated to participating securities, basic	(401)	(395)	(422)
Income allocated to participating securities, diluted	(401)	(395)	(422)
Net income available to common shareholders, basic	78,851	70,378	54,634
Net income available to common shareholders, diluted	$ 78,851	$ 70,378	$ 54,634
Denominator
Basic weighted average common shares outstanding (in shares)	50,194	51,767	52,386
Add:
Contingent common shares (in shares)	238	250	1,049
Stock option dilution (in shares)	333	329	394
Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding (in shares)	50,765	52,346	53,829