Document And Entity Information - shares	9 Months Ended
	Oct. 01, 2016	Oct. 21, 2016
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	STANLEY FURNITURE CO INC.
Document Type	10-Q
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		14,732,199
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Central Index Key	0000797465
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Filer Category	Smaller Reporting Company
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Document Period End Date	Oct. 01, 2016
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2016
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3