Earnings Per Share - Schedule Of Components Of Basic And Diluted Earnings Per Share (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended																11 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013		Sep. 30, 2013		Jun. 30, 2013		Mar. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012		Sep. 30, 2012		Jun. 30, 2012		Mar. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 18, 2012
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Net earnings (loss) attributable to Blyth, Inc. common stockholders	$ 9,665	[1]	$ (8,470)	[1]	$ (1,358)	[1]	$ 2,596	[1]	$ 27,751	[1]	$ 745	[1]	$ 8,027	[1]	$ 7,479	[1]	$ 16,226	$ 2,433		$ 44,002
ViSalus redeemable preferred stock	146,603								146,547									146,603		146,547	143,200
Less: Exchange of redeemable preferred stock in excess of fair value	889		2,748		1,834		0										0	0		(33,956)
Net earnings (loss) attributable to Blyth, Inc. common stockholders			$ (11,218)		$ (3,192)		$ 2,596										$ 16,226	$ (3,038)		$ 10,046
Weighted average number outstanding, common shares																	16,467	16,141		17,113
Vested restricted stock units																	79	55		67
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding, basic																	16,546	16,196	[2]	17,180
Dilutive effect of stock options and non-vested restricted share units																	110	0		67
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding, diluted																	16,656	16,196	[2]	17,247
Basic earnings per share: (a)
Net earnings (loss) from continuing operations									$ (0.72)	[1]	$ 0.01	[1]	$ 0.42	[1]	$ 0.42	[1]	$ 1.28	$ (0.19)	[2]	$ 0.13
Net earnings (loss) from discontinued operations									$ 0.36	[1]	$ 0.03	[1]	$ 0.04	[1]	$ 0.02	[1]	$ (0.30)	$ 0.00	[2]	$ 0.45
Net earnings (loss) attributable per share of Blyth, Inc. common stock	$ 0.55	[1],[3]	$ (0.70)	[1],[3]	$ (0.20)	[1],[3]	$ 0.16	[1],[3]	$ (0.36)	[1],[3]	$ 0.04	[1],[3]	$ 0.46	[1],[3]	$ 0.44	[1],[3]	$ 0.98	$ (0.19)	[2]	$ 0.58
Earnings Per Share, Diluted [Abstract]
Net earnings (loss) from continuing operations									$ (0.72)	[1]	$ 0.01	[1]	$ 0.42	[1]	$ 0.42	[1]	$ 1.27	$ (0.19)	[2]	$ 0.13
Net earnings (loss) from discontinued operations									$ 0.36	[1]	$ 0.03	[1]	$ 0.04	[1]	$ 0.02	[1]	$ (0.29)	$ 0.00	[2]	$ 0.45
Net earnings (loss) attributable per share of Blyth, Inc. common stock	$ 0.55	[1],[3]	$ (0.70)	[1],[3]	$ (0.20)	[1],[3]	$ 0.16	[1],[3]	$ (0.36)	[1],[3]	$ 0.04	[1],[3]	$ 0.46	[1],[3]	$ 0.44	[1],[3]	$ 0.98	$ (0.19)	[2]	$ 0.58

[1] (2) As adjusted for change in discontinued operations (See Note 4 to the Consolidated financial statements).

[2] Basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share are determined on the Net earnings attributable to Blyth, Inc. less the Exchange of redeemable preferred stock in excess of fair value and Accretion to the redemption value for the ViSalus redeemable preferred stock after allocating attributable losses and dividends paid to ViSalus preferred stockholders in excess of fair value.

[3] (1) The sum of per share amounts for the quarters does not necessarily equal that reported for the year because the computations are made independently.