Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	12 Months Ended
Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	Dec. 31, 2019
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Basis of Accounting, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Organization and Basis of Presentation HG Holdings, Inc.’s the (“Company”) consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. (“GAAP”). The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of all subsidiaries and affiliates in which the Company holds a controlling financial interest as of the financial statement date. All subsidiaries were sold to Stanley Furniture Company, LLC, formerly Churchill Downs, LLC, in the Asset Sale effective March 2, 2018. As of each balance sheet date, the Company did not have any subsidiaries which are consolidated. On March 2, 2018, we sold substantially all of our assets (the “Asset Sale”) to Stanley Furniture Company LLC, formerly Churchill Downs LLC (“Buyer”), pursuant to the terms of the Asset Purchase Agreement, dated as of November 20, 2017, as amended by the First Amendment thereto dated January 22, 2017 ( the “Asset Purchase Agreement”). Operations of the furniture business from January 1, 2018 through March 2, 2018 are reflected as discontinued operations pursuant to the provisions of Accounting Standards Codification 2015 - 20, Presentation of Financial Statements – Discontinued Operations for all periods presented. Results of discontinued operations are excluded from the accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements for all periods presented, unless otherwise noted. As a result of the sale, on March 2, 2018, the Company’s Board of Directors approved an amendment to the Company’s Restated Certificate of Incorporation to change the name of the Company to HG Holdings, Inc. The amendment became effective upon the filing of a Certificate of Amendment with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on March 2, 2018. As a result of the Asset Sale, the Company had no revenue-generating operations. On March 19, 2019, we purchased 300,000 shares of HC Realty’s Common Stock (the “HC Common Stock”) for an aggregate purchase price of $3,000,000 and 200,000 shares of HC Realty’s 10.00% Series B Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock (the “HC Series B Stock”) for an aggregate purchase price of $2,000,000. As a result of these purchases, we currently own approximately 16.4% of the as-converted equity interest of HC Realty. Also on March 19, 2019, we, together with certain other lenders, including certain entities affiliated with HPCM (collectively, the “Lenders”), entered into a loan agreement (the “Loan Agreement”) with HC Realty’s operating partnership, and HCM Agency, LLC, as collateral agent (the “Agent”), pursuant to which the Lenders provided HC Realty’s operating partnership with a $10,500,000 senior secured term loan (the “Initial Term Loan”), of which $2,000,000 was provided by us. The Agent is affiliated with HPCM. As a result of these investments, our sources of income include dividends on HC Realty Series B Stock, interest earned on the loan we made to HC Realty’s operating partnership, and interest paid on cash and subordinated secured promissory notes. The Company believes that the revenue generating from these sources in addition to the cash on hand is sufficient to fund operating expenses for at least 12 months from the date of these consolidated financial statements. The Company previously disclosed its board was considering a rights offering of the Company’s common stock to existing stockholders to raise additional cash for acquisitions. On December 16, 2019, the Company filed a registration statement with respect to a proposed rights offering of up to 19.5 million shares of its Common Stock (the “Rights Offering”). The Rights Offering will be commenced only following effectiveness of the registration statement relating to the Rights Offering and will be made only by means of a prospectus. The Company anticipates using the proceeds of the Rights Offering for acquisitions, including purchasing additional HC Series B Stock, HC Common Stock or debt of HC Realty. Certain amounts in the 2018 consolidated financial statements have been reclassified to conform to 2019 presentation. These reclassifications do not have an impact on the consolidated statements of operations or the consolidated statement of comprehensive income (loss).
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Cash We consider all highly liquid investments with a maturity of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents.
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Restricted Cash Restricted cash includes collateral deposits required under the Company’s letter of credit agreement, which expires in June 2020, to guarantee the Company’s workers compensation insurance policy. The restricted cash balance is expected to mature over the next six months. As of December 31, 2019, there was no outstanding balance on the letter of credit agreement.
Concentration Risk, Credit Risk, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Concentration of Credit Risk The Company place its cash and restricted cash with financial institutions and, at times, cash held in depository accounts may exceed the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation insured limit.
Revenue [Policy Text Block]	Revenue Recognition Revenue, prior to the Asset Sale, was recognized to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the Company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. To achieve this principle, the Company performed the following five steps: (i) identification of a contract with a customer; (ii) identification of any separate performance obligation; (iii) determination of the transaction price; (iv) allocation of the transaction price to the performance obligation in the contract, if any; and (v) recognition of revenue when the Company had satisfied the underlying performance obligation if any. The Company recognized substantially all of its revenue at a point in time when control of the Company’s goods was passed to the customer, which typically occurs upon shipment, with the exception of consigned goods. The Company considered its performance obligation satisfied at the time this control was transferred. Customer payment terms for these shipments typically ranged between 30 - and 90 -days. The Company elected to treat shipping and handling performed after control has transferred to customers as a fulfillment activity, and additionally, elected the practical expedient to report sales taxes on a net basis. The Company recorded shipping and handling expense related to product sales as cost of sales.
Revenue Recognition, Interest [Policy Text Block]	Interest Income Interest income is recorded on an accrual basis based on the effective interest rate method and includes the accretion of fair value adjustments/discounts. Fair value adjustments to par value are accreted/amortized into interest income over the life of the respective security using the effective yield method. The amortized cost of investments represents the original cost adjusted for the accretion of fair value adjustments, if any. Other revenues are recognized when contractual obligations are fulfilled or as services are provided.
Payment-In-Kind Interest, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Payment-in-Kind Interest The Company has subordinated secured notes receivables that may contain payment-in-kind (“PIK”) provisions. The PIK interest, computed at the contractual rate specified in the loan agreement, is added to the principal balance of the loan and recorded as interest income.
Consolidation, Variable Interest Entity, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Variable Interest Entities As a result of both the Asset Sale and the S&L Asset Sale, we have a variable interest in three entities that have been determined to be variable interest entities ("VIE"). If we conclude that we are the primary beneficiary of a VIE, we are required to consolidate it. To determine if we are the primary beneficiary, we evaluate whether we have the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the VIE's economic performance and the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits of the VIE that could potentially be significant to the VIE. Our evaluation includes identification of significant activities and an assessment of our ability to direct those activities based on governance provisions and arrangements to provide or receive product and process technology, product supply, operations services, equity funding, financing, and other applicable agreements and circumstances. Our assessments of whether we are the primary beneficiary of our VIE requires significant assumptions and judgments. We have concluded that we are not the primary beneficiary of the three VIEs as we do not have the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the VIEs’ economic performance and therefore are not required to consolidate these entities.
Subordinated Notes Receivable, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Subordinated Note s Receivable In accordance with ASC 810 - 40 - 5, upon the sale of substantially all of the assets the Company recorded a gain on the deconsolidation of a group of assets based on the difference between the fair value of the consideration received and the carrying amount of the group of assets. As the Original Note was part of the consideration received, the Company recorded the Original Note at its fair value on March 2, 2018. The fair value of the Original Note was estimated using discounted cash flow analyses, using market rates at the acquisition date that reflect the credit and inherent rate-risk inherent in the Original Note. The discount resulting from the fair value adjustment was recorded as a direct reduction to the original principal balance and amortized to interest income using the effective interest method. As of the date of the assignment and transfer from the Buyer to S&L, it was determined that the Original Note was extinguished and therefore both the A&R Note and the S&L Note were measured based on their fair value in accordance with Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) – Creditors Accounting for Modification or Exchange of Debt Instruments. The discounts resulting from the fair value adjustments for the A&R Note and the S&L Note were recorded as a direct reduction to the original principal balance and amortized to interest income using the effective interest method. When impairment is determined to be probable, the measurement will be based on the fair value of the collateral securing the notes. The determination of impairment involves management’s judgment and the use of market and third -party estimates regarding collateral values. During 2019 management determined that the Second A&R note was other than temporarily impaired and recorded an impairment loss of $897,000.
Property, Plant and Equipment, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Property, Plant and Equipment Depreciation of property, plant and equipment is computed using the straight-line method based upon the estimated useful lives. Depreciation expense is charged to general and administrative expenses. Gains and losses related to dispositions and retirements are included in income. Maintenance and repairs are charged to expense as incurred; renewals and betterments are capitalized. Assets are reviewed for possible impairment when events indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Assumptions and estimates used in the evaluation of impairment may affect the carrying value of property, plant and equipment, which could result in impairment charges in future periods. Our depreciation policy reflects judgments on the estimated useful lives of assets. Our long-lived assets were tested for impairment at December 31, 2019 and determined that the long-lived assets were not impaired.
Cost Method Investments, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Cost Method Investments The Company held, at December 31, 2018, a 1.4% equity interest in Churchill Downs Holdings, Ltd. (“Churchill”), a British Virgin Island business company which it received as a partial consideration for the sale of substantially all of our assets. As a result of additional equity capital contributions to Churchill during the fourth quarter 2018, HG Holdings equity interest was diluted from its original 5% ownership interest. Long-term investments consist of investments in equity securities of nonpublic entities without readily determinable fair values. These investments are classified in “Investment in closely held company” on the consolidated balance sheets. The company determines the appropriate classifications of its investment(s) at the acquisition date. Upon adoption of ASU 2016 - 01, the Company carries its long-term investment at cost minus impairment, if any, plus or minus changes resulting from observable price changes in orderly transaction for the identical or a similar investment of the same issuer. The Company reviews its equity securities without readily determinable fair values on a regular basis to determine if the investment is impaired. For purposes of this assessment, the Company considers the investee’s cash position, liquidity, earnings and revenue outlook, equity position, and ownership, among other factors, in its review. If management’s assessment indicates that an impairment exists, the Company estimates the fair value of the equity investment and recognizes in current earnings an impairment loss that is equal to the difference between the fair value of the equity investment and its carrying amount. During the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company sold its equity interest back to Churchill for $120,000 for which the Company had determined during the year ended December 31, 2018 the fair value to be zero. Accordingly, the Company recorded a gain on sale of $120,000.
Income Tax, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Income Taxes Deferred income taxes are determined based on the difference between the consolidated financial statement and income tax bases of assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates in effect in the years in which the differences are expected to reverse. Deferred tax expense represents the change in the deferred tax asset/liability balance. Income tax credits are reported as a reduction of income tax expense in the year in which the credits are generated. A valuation allowance is recorded when it is more likely than not that a deferred tax asset will not be realized. Interest and penalties on uncertain tax positions are recorded as income tax expense.
Fair Value Measurement, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Fair Value of Financial Instruments Accounting for fair value measurements requires disclosure of the level within the fair value hierarchy in which fair value measurements in their entirety fall, segregating fair value measurements using quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 ), significant other observable inputs (Level 2 ), and significant unobservable inputs (Level 3 ). The fair value of receivables and payables approximate the carrying amount because of the short maturity of these instruments.
Earnings Per Share, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Earnings per Common Share Basic earnings per share is computed based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding. Diluted earnings per share includes any dilutive effect of outstanding stock options and restricted stock calculated using the treasury stock method.
Share-based Payment Arrangement [Policy Text Block]	Stock-Based Compensation We record share-based payment awards at fair value on the grant date of the awards, based on the estimated number of awards that are expected to vest, over the vesting period. The fair value of stock options was determined using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. The fair value of the restricted stock awards was based on the closing price of the Company’s common stock on the date of the grant. For awards with performance conditions, we recognize compensation cost over the expected period to achieve the performance conditions, provided achievement of the performance conditions are deemed probable.
Use of Estimates, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Use of Estimates The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Changes in such estimates may affect amounts reported in future periods.
New Accounting Pronouncements, Policy [Policy Text Block]	New Accounting Pronouncements In June 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued ASU 2016 - 13, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326 ): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments (“ASU 2016 - 13” ). The amendments in ASU 2016 - 13 require the measurement of all expected credit losses for financial assets held at the reporting date based on historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts. In addition, ASU 2016 - 13 amends the accounting for credit losses on available-for-sale debt securities and purchased financial assets with credit deterioration. The amendment is effective for public entities for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2019, however early application is permitted for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018. The Company does not anticipate the adoption of ASU 2016 - 13 to have a material impact to the consolidated financial statements. In February 2016, the FASB issued its final lease accounting standard, ASC, Leases (Topic 842 ) (“ASU 2016 - 02” ), which requires lessees to recognize a right-of-use asset and a lease liability for virtually all of their leases (other than leases that meet the definition of a short-term lease). The lease liability will be equal to the present value of lease payments and the right-of -use asset will be based on the lease liability, subject to adjustment such as for initial direct costs. For income statement purposes, the new standard retains a dual model similar to ASC 840, requiring leases to be classified as either operating or finance. For lessees, operating leases will result in straight-line expense (similar to current accounting by lessees for operating leases under ASC 840 ) while finance leases will result in a front-loaded expense pattern (similar to current accounting by lessees for capital leases under ASC 840 ). The Company adopted the standard effective January 1, 2019. As of December 31, 2019, we do not have any long-term leases. We will evaluate the effect that ASU 2016 - 02 will have on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures at such time a long-term lease is executed. Our only lease as of December 31, 2019 relates to a real estate lease for the corporate office space. The adoption did not have material impact to the consolidated financial statements.