HNI (HNI) 10-Q 5 May 15 2015 Q1 Quarterly report Financial data

DOCUMENT_AND_ENTITY_INFORMATIO

DOCUMENT AND ENTITY INFORMATION	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 04, 2015
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	HNI CORP
Entity Central Index Key	48287
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	4-Apr-15
Amendment Flag	FALSE
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2015
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Current Fiscal Year End Date	-1
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	44,485,316

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (USD $)	Apr. 04, 2015	Jan. 03, 2015
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
CURRENT ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	$25,469	$34,144
Short-term investments	1,152	3,052
Receivables	232,678	240,053
Inventories	143,883	121,791
Deferred income taxes	17,047	17,310
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	37,810	39,209
Total Current Assets	458,039	455,559
PROPERTY, PLANT, AND EQUIPMENT
Land and land improvements	27,399	27,329
Buildings	299,593	298,170
Machinery and equipment	499,716	492,646
Construction in progress	23,960	27,704
Property plant and equipment, at cost	850,668	845,849
Less accumulated depreciation	539,955	534,841
Net Property, Plant, and Equipment	310,713	311,008
GOODWILL	279,772	279,310
OTHER ASSETS	200,628	193,457
Total Assets	1,249,152	1,239,334
CURRENT LIABILITIES
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	369,891	453,754
Note payable and current maturities of long-term debt and capital lease obligations	74,653	160
Current maturities of other long-term obligations	4,229	3,419
Total Current Liabilities	448,773	457,333
LONG-TERM DEBT	198,023	197,736
OTHER LONG-TERM LIABILITIES	83,607	80,353
DEFERRED INCOME TAXES	91,169	89,411
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Capital Stock:
Preferred, $1 par value, authorized 2,000,000 shares, no shares outstanding	0	0
Common, $1 par value, authorized 200,000,000 shares, outstanding - April 4, 2015 - 44,485,316 shares; January 3, 2015 – 44,165,676 shares	44,485	44,166
Additional paid-in capital	15,973	867
Retained earnings	371,829	374,929
Accumulated other comprehensive income	-5,056	-5,375
Total HNI Corporation shareholders' equity	427,231	414,587
Noncontrolling interest	349	-86
Total Equity	427,580	414,501
Total Liabilities and Equity	$1,249,152	$1,239,334

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE1

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Apr. 04, 2015	Jan. 03, 2015
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Preferred Stock, Par Value (in dollars per share)	$1	$1
Preferred Stock, Shares Authorized	2,000,000	2,000,000
Preferred Stock, Shares Outstanding	0	0
Common Stock, Par Value (in dollars per share)	$1	$1
Common Stock, Shares Authorized	200,000,000	200,000,000
Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	44,485,316	44,165,676

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_STATEME

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 04, 2015	Mar. 29, 2014
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$523,477	$452,201
Cost of sales	338,977	297,029
Gross profit	184,500	155,172
Selling and administrative expenses	168,704	145,210
(Gain) on sale of assets	0	-8,400
Restructuring and impairment	377	-28
Operating income	15,419	18,390
Interest income	90	70
Interest expense	1,989	2,202
Income before income taxes	13,520	16,258
Income taxes	5,068	5,242
Net income	8,452	11,016
Less: Net (loss) attributable to the noncontrolling interest	-26	-80
Net income attributable to HNI Corporation	8,478	11,096
Net income attributable to HNI Corporation per common share – basic (in dollars per share)	$0.19	$0.25
Average number of common shares outstanding – basic	44,303,788	45,038,512
Net income attributable to HNI Corporation per common share – diluted (in dollars per share)	$0.19	$0.24
Average number of common shares outstanding – diluted	45,523,785	45,837,579
Cash dividends per common share (in dollars per share)	$0.25	$0.24
Other comprehensive income, net of tax: 2015 $134; 2014 $(49)	319	448
Comprehensive income	8,771	11,464
Less: Comprehensive (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	-26	-80
Comprehensive income attributable to HNI Corporation	$8,797	$11,544

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_STATEME1

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (Parenthetical) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 04, 2015	Mar. 29, 2014
Income Statement [Abstract]
Other comprehensive income, tax	$134	($49)

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_STATEME2

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 04, 2015	Mar. 29, 2014
Net Cash Flows From (To) Operating Activities:
Net income	$8,452	$11,016
Noncash items included in net income:
Depreciation and amortization	13,860	12,024
Other postretirement and post employment benefits	417	310
Stock-based compensation	3,485	2,633
Excess tax benefits from stock compensation	-1,313	-12
Deferred income taxes	2,084	5,006
(Gain) loss on sale, retirement and impairment of long-lived assets and intangibles, net	76	-8,382
Other – net	2,405	-328
Net increase (decrease) in operating assets and liabilities	-80,938	-58,349
Increase (decrease) in other liabilities	2,155	17
Net cash flows from (to) operating activities	-49,317	-36,065
Net Cash Flows From (To) Investing Activities:
Capital expenditures	-20,085	-16,309
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment	52	12,011
Capitalized software	-8,138	-6,384
Purchase of investments	0	-299
Sales or maturities of investments	0	1,100
Net cash flows from (to) investing activities	-28,171	-9,881
Net Cash Flows From (To) Financing Activities:
Proceeds from sales of HNI Corporation common stock	8,954	1,659
Purchase of HNI Corporation common stock	-5,294	-4,673
Proceeds from note and long-term debt	130,524	60,141
Payments of note and long-term debt and other financing	-55,567	-19,752
Excess tax benefits from stock compensation	1,313	12
Dividends paid	-11,117	-10,787
Net cash flows from (to) financing activities	68,813	26,600
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	-8,675	-19,346
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	34,144	65,030
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$25,469	$45,684

Basis_of_Presentation

Basis of Presentation	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 04, 2015
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Basis of Presentation	Basis of Presentation
	The accompanying unaudited, condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X.  Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements.  The January 3, 2015 consolidated balance sheet included in this Form 10-Q was derived from audited financial statements but does not include all disclosures required by generally accepted accounting principles.  In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair statement have been included. Operating results for the three-month period ended April 4, 2015 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the fiscal year ending January 2, 2016.  For further information, refer to the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes included in HNI Corporation's (the "Corporation") Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 3, 2015. Certain reclassifications have been made to the condensed consolidated financial statements of prior periods to conform to the current period presentation.

StockBased_Compensation

Stock-Based Compensation	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 04, 2015
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Stock-Based Compensation	Stock-Based Compensation
	The Corporation measures stock-based compensation expense at grant date, based on the fair value of the award, and recognizes expense over the employee requisite service period.  For the three months ended April 4, 2015 and March 29, 2014, the Corporation recognized $3.5 million and $2.6 million, respectively, of stock-based compensation expense for the cost of stock options and time-based restricted stock units issued under the HNI Corporation 2007 Stock-Based Compensation Plan and shares issued under the HNI Corporation 2002 Members' Stock Purchase Plan.
	At April 4, 2015, there was $7.6 million of unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested stock options, which the Corporation expects to recognize over a weighted-average remaining service period of 1.1 years and $1.5 million of unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested restricted stock units, which the Corporation expects to recognize over a weighted-average remaining service period of 1.4 years.

Inventories

Inventories	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 04, 2015
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
Inventories	Inventories
	The Corporation values its inventory at the lower of cost or market with approximately 71% valued by the last-in, first-out ("LIFO") costing method.
		April 4, 2015			January 3, 2015
	(In thousands)
	Finished products	$	82,860		$	65,126
	Materials and work in process	89,035			84,677
	LIFO allowance	(28,012		)	(28,012		)
		$	143,883		$	121,791

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) and Shareholders' Equity	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 04, 2015
Equity [Abstract]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) and Shareholders' Equity	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) and Shareholders' Equity
	The following table summarizes the components of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) and the changes in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax, as applicable for the three months ended April 4, 2015:
		Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment			Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Marketable Securities									Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
								Pension Postretirement Liability			Derivative Financial Instruments
	(In thousands)
	Balance at January 3, 2015	$	2,223		$	37		$	(6,763	)	$	(872	)	$	(5,375	)
	Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	54			41			—			(238		)	(143		)
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	—			—			—			462			462
	Balance at April 4, 2015	$	2,277		$	78		$	(6,763	)	$	(648	)	$	(5,056	)
	All amounts are net-of tax. Amounts in parentheses indicate debits.
	The following table details the reclassifications from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) for the three months ended April 4, 2015 and March 29, 2014 (in thousands):
				Three Months Ended
	Details about Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Components	Affected Line Item in the Statement Where Net Income Is Presented		April 4, 2015			March 29, 2014
	Derivative financial instruments
	Diesel hedge	Selling and administrative expenses		$	(694	)	$	55
		Tax (expense) or benefit		232			(20		)
		Net of tax		$	(462	)	$	35
	Amounts in parentheses indicate reductions to profit.
	During the three months ended April 4, 2015, the Corporation repurchased 103,700 shares of its common stock at a cost of approximately $5.3 million.  As of April 4, 2015, $214.1 million of the Corporation's Board of Directors' current repurchase authorization remained unspent.
	During the three months ended April 4, 2015, the Corporation paid dividends to shareholders of $0.25 per share.

Earnings_Per_Share

Earnings Per Share	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 04, 2015
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Earnings Per Share	Earnings Per Share
	The following table reconciles the numerators and denominators used in the calculation of basic and diluted earnings per share ("EPS"):
		Three Months Ended
	(In thousands, except per share data)	April 4, 2015		March 29, 2014
	Numerators:
	Numerator for both basic and diluted EPS attributable to HNI Corporation net income	$	8,478	$	11,096
	Denominators:
	Denominator for basic EPS weighted-average common shares outstanding	44,304		45,039
	Potentially dilutive shares from stock-based compensation plans	1,220		799
	Denominator for diluted EPS	45,524		45,838
	Earnings per share – basic	$	0.19	$	0.25
	Earnings per share – diluted	$	0.19	$	0.24
	The weighted average common stock equivalents presented above do not include the effect of 268,494 common stock equivalents for the three months ended April 4, 2015, and 1,038,678 for the three months ended March 29, 2014 because their inclusion would be anti-dilutive.

Restructuring_Reserve_And_Plan

Restructuring Reserve And Plant Closures	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 04, 2015
Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]
Restructuring Reserve and Plant Closures	Restructuring Reserve and Plant Closures
	As a result of the Corporation's ongoing business simplification and cost reduction strategies, the Corporation has closed, consolidated, and realigned a number of its office furniture facilities during the past few years. During the three months ended April 4, 2015, in connection with the closures, consolidations, and realignments, the Corporation recorded $0.4 million of restructuring costs.
	The following is a summary of changes in restructuring accruals during the three months ended April 4, 2015.
		Severance			Facility Exit Costs & Other			Total
	(In thousands)
	Balance as of January 3, 2015	$	1,213		$	—		$	1,213
	Restructuring charges	8			369			377
	Cash payments	(192		)	(369		)	(561		)
	Balance as of April 4, 2015	$	1,029		$	—		$	1,029
	During the first quarter of 2014 the Corporation completed the sale of a vacated office furniture manufacturing facility from a prior plant closure. The net sales price was $12.0 million resulting in a gain of $5.7 million, net of $2.7 million income tax expense for the quarter ended March 29, 2014.

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 04, 2015
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets	Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
	The table below summarizes amortizable definite-lived intangible assets as of April 4, 2015 and January 3, 2015, which are reflected in the "Other Assets" line item in the Corporation's Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets:
	(In thousands)	April 4, 2015			January 3, 2015
	Patents	$	18,945		$	18,945
	Less: accumulated amortization	18,736			18,724
	Net patents	209			221
	Software	100,558			93,343
	Less: accumulated amortization	18,560			17,711
	Net software	81,998			75,632
	Customer lists and other	126,230			125,095
	Less: accumulated amortization	61,697			59,743
	Net customer lists and other	64,533			65,352
	Net intangible assets	$	146,740		$	141,205
	Aggregate amortization expense for the three months ended April 4, 2015 and March 29, 2014 was $2.8 million and $2.6 million, respectively.  Based on the current amount of intangible assets subject to amortization, the estimated amortization expense for each of the following five fiscal years is as follows:
	(In millions)	2015			2016			2017			2018		2019
	Amortization Expense	$	11.6		$	16.4		$	15.7		$	15.1	$	15
	As events such as potential acquisitions, dispositions or impairments occur in the future, these amounts may change.
	The Corporation also owns trademarks and trade names with a net carrying amount of $41.0 million as of April 4, 2015 and January 3, 2015.  The trademarks and trade names are deemed to have indefinite useful lives because they are expected to generate cash flows indefinitely.
	The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill since January 3, 2015 are as follows by reporting segment:
		Office			Hearth			Total
	(In thousands)	Furniture			Products
	Balance as of January 3, 2015
	Goodwill	$	149,713		$	181,901		$	331,614
	Accumulated impairment losses	(52,161		)	(143		)	(52,304		)
		97,552			181,758			279,310
	Goodwill acquired	—			458			458
	Foreign currency translation adjustments	4			—			4
	Balance as of April 4, 2015
	Goodwill	149,717			182,359			332,076
	Accumulated impairment losses	(52,161		)	(143		)	(52,304		)
		$	97,556		$	182,216		$	279,772
	The Corporation evaluates its goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment on an annual basis during the fourth quarter, or whenever indicators of impairment exist. The Corporation estimates the fair value of its reporting units using various valuation techniques, with the primary technique being a discounted cash flow method.  This method employs market participant based assumptions. The increase in the hearth segment relates to a purchase price allocation adjustment for an acquisition completed during the fourth quarter of 2014. The purchase price allocation adjustments did not have a significant impact on the Corporation's Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as of April 4, 2015 or its Condensed Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income for the three months ended April 4, 2015. Therefore, the Corporation has not retrospectively adjusted this financial information.

Product_Warranties

Product Warranties	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 04, 2015
Product Warranties Disclosures [Abstract]
Product Warranties	Product Warranties
	The Corporation issues certain warranty policies on its office furniture and hearth products that provide for repair or replacement of any covered product or component that fails during normal use because of a defect in design or workmanship. Reserves have been established for the various costs associated with the Corporation's warranty programs.
	A warranty reserve is determined by recording a specific reserve for known warranty issues and an additional reserve for unknown claims that are expected to be incurred based on historical claims experience.  Actual claims incurred could differ from the original estimates, requiring adjustments to the reserve.  Activity associated with warranty obligations was as follows during the periods noted:
		Three Months Ended
	(In thousands)	April 4, 2015			March 29, 2014
	Balance at beginning of period	$	16,719		$	13,840
	Accruals for warranties issued during period	6,102			4,716
	Adjustments related to pre-existing warranties	339			(129		)
	Settlements made during the period	(6,381		)	(4,623		)
	Balance at end of period	$	16,779		$	13,804
	The portion of the reserve for estimated settlements expected to be paid in the next twelve months was $8.5 million and $6.7 million as of April 4, 2015 and March 29, 2014, respectively, and is included in "Accounts payable and accrued expenses" in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. The portion of the reserve for settlements expected to be paid beyond one year was $8.3 million and $7.1 million, as of April 4, 2015 and March 29, 2014, respectively, and is included in "Other Long-Term Liabilities" in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Postretirement_Health_Care

Postretirement Health Care	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 04, 2015
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]
Postretirement Health Care	Postretirement Health Care
	The following table sets forth the components of net periodic benefit cost included in the Corporation's Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for:
		Three Months Ended
	(In thousands)	April 4, 2015		March 29, 2014
	Service cost	$	201	$	126
	Interest cost	204		184
	Amortization of (gain)/loss	59		—
	Net periodic benefit cost	$	464	$	310

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 04, 2015
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Taxes	Income Taxes
	The provision for income taxes for the three months ended April 4, 2015 reflects an effective tax rate of 37.5 percent compared to 32.2 percent for the same period last year.

Derivative_Financial_Instrumen

Derivative Financial Instruments	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 04, 2015
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
Derivative Financial Instruments	Derivative Financial Instruments
	The Corporation uses derivative financial instruments to reduce its exposure to adverse fluctuations in diesel fuel prices.  On the date a derivative is entered into, the Corporation designates the derivative as (i) a fair value hedge, (ii) a cash flow hedge, (iii) a hedge of a net investment in a foreign operation or (iv) a risk management instrument not designated for hedge accounting.  The Corporation recognizes all derivatives on its Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at fair value.
	Diesel Fuel Risk
	Independent freight carriers, used by the Corporation to deliver its products, charge the Corporation a basic rate per mile that is subject to a mileage surcharge for diesel fuel price increases.  The Corporation enters into variable to fixed rate commodity swap agreements with two financial counterparties to manage fluctuations in fuel costs.  The Corporation hedges approximately 50% of its diesel fuel surcharge exposure for the next twelve months.  The Corporation uses the hedge agreements to mitigate the volatility of diesel fuel prices and related fuel surcharges, and not to speculate on the future price of diesel fuel.  The hedge agreements are designed to add stability to the Corporation's costs, enabling the Corporation to make pricing decisions and lessen the economic impact of abrupt changes in diesel fuel prices over the term of the contract.  The hedging instruments consist of a series of financially settled fixed forward contracts with expiration dates ranging up to twelve months.  The contracts have been designated as cash flow hedges of future diesel purchases, and as such, the net amount paid or received upon monthly settlements is recorded as an adjustment to freight expense, while the effective change in fair value is recorded as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income in the equity section of the Corporation's Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.
	As of April 4, 2015, $0.6 million of deferred net losses, net of tax, included in equity ("Accumulated other comprehensive income" in the Corporation's Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets) related to the diesel hedge agreements are expected to be reclassified to current earnings ("Selling and administrative expenses" in the Corporation's Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income) over the next twelve months.
	The location and fair value of derivative instruments reported in the Corporation's Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets are as follows (in thousands):
				Asset (Liability) Fair Value
		Balance Sheet Location		April 4, 2015			January 3, 2015
	Diesel fuel swap	Accounts payable and accrued expenses		$	(1,038	)	$	(1,374	)
	Diesel fuel swap	Prepaid expenses and other current assets		—			—
				$	(1,038	)	$	(1,374	)
	The effect of derivative instruments on the Corporation's Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the three months ended April 4, 2015 was as follows (in thousands):
	Derivatives in Cash Flow Hedge Relationship	Before-tax Gain (Loss) Recognized in AOCI on Derivative (Effective Portion)				Locations of Gain (Loss) Reclassified from AOCI into Income (Effective Portion)	Before-Tax Gain (Loss) Reclassified from AOCI Into Income (Effective Portion)			Locations of Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivative (Ineffective Portion)	Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivative (Ineffective Portion)
	Diesel fuel swap	$	(358	)		Selling and administrative expenses	$	(694	)	Selling and administrative expenses	$	—
	Total	$	(358	)			$	(694	)		$	—
	The effect of derivative instruments on the Corporation's Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the three months ended March 29, 2014 was as follows (in thousands):
	Derivatives in Cash Flow Hedge Relationship	Before-tax Gain (Loss) Recognized in AOCI on Derivative (Effective Portion)				Locations of Gain (Loss) Reclassified from AOCI into Income (Effective Portion)	Before-Tax Gain (Loss) Reclassified from AOCI Into Income (Effective Portion)			Locations of Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivative (Ineffective Portion)	Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivative (Ineffective Portion)
	Diesel fuel swap	$	(98	)		Selling and administrative expenses	$	55		Selling and administrative expenses	$	(1	)
	Total	$	(98	)			$	55			$	(1	)
	The Corporation entered into master netting agreements with the two financial counterparties where they entered into commodity swap agreements that permit the net settlement of amounts owed under their respective derivative contracts. Under these master netting agreements, net settlement of all outstanding contracts with a counterparty in the case of an event of default or a termination event is allowed. The amounts under the master netting agreement are immaterial.

Fair_Value_Measurements

Fair Value Measurements	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 04, 2015
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair Value Measurements	Fair Value Measurements
	For recognition purposes, on a recurring basis the Corporation is required to measure at fair value its marketable securities and derivative instruments.  The marketable securities are comprised of government securities, corporate bonds and money market funds. When available the Corporation uses quoted market prices to determine fair value and classifies such measurements within Level 1.  Where market prices are not available, the Corporation makes use of observable market-based inputs (prices or quotes from published exchanges/indexes) to calculate fair value using the market approach, in which case the measurements are classified within Level 2.
	Assets measured at fair value as of April 4, 2015 were as follows:
					Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets		Significant other observable inputs			Significant unobservable inputs
		Fair value as of measurement date			(Level 1)		(Level 2)			(Level 3)
	(In thousands)
	Government securities	$	9,844		$	—	$	9,844		$	—
	Corporate bonds	$	2,226		$	—	$	2,226		$	—
	Derivative financial instruments	$	(1,038	)	$	—	$	(1,038	)	$	—
	Assets measured at fair value as of January 3, 2015 were as follows:
					Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets		Significant other observable inputs			Significant unobservable inputs
		Fair value as of measurement date			(Level 1)		(Level 2)			(Level 3)
	(In thousands)
	Government securities	$	9,835		$	—	$	9,835		$	—
	Corporate bonds	$	2,205		$	—	$	2,205		$	—
	Derivative financial instruments	$	(1,374	)	$	—	$	(1,374	)	$	—
	In addition to the methods and assumptions the Corporation uses to record the fair value of financial instruments as discussed in the section above, it uses the following methods and assumptions to estimate the fair value of its financial instruments.
	Cash and cash equivalents - Level 1
	The carrying amount approximated fair value and includes money market funds.
	Long-term debt (including current portion) - Level 2
	The carrying value of the Corporation's outstanding variable-rate, long-term debt obligations at April 4, 2015 and January 3, 2015, the end of the Corporation's 2014 fiscal year, approximated the fair value.  The fair value of the Corporation's outstanding fixed-rate, long-term debt obligations is estimated based on discounted cash flow method to be $152 million at April 4, 2015 and $154 million at January 3, 2015, compared to the carrying value of $150 million.

Commitments_and_Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 04, 2015
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Commitments and Contingencies	Commitments and Contingencies
	The Corporation utilizes letters of credit in the amount of $11 million to back certain insurance policies and payment obligations.  The letters of credit reflect fair value as a condition of their underlying purpose and are subject to competitively determined fees.
	The Corporation has contingent liabilities which have arisen in the ordinary course of its business, including liabilities relating to pending litigation, environmental remediation, taxes, and other claims.  It is the Corporation's opinion that liabilities, if any, resulting from these matters are not expected to have a material adverse effect on the Corporation's financial condition, cash flows or on the Corporation's quarterly or annual operating results when resolved in a future period.

New_Accounting_Standards

New Accounting Standards	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 04, 2015
Accounting Changes and Error Corrections [Abstract]
New Accounting Standards	New Accounting Standards
	In April 2014, the FASB issued accounting guidance which changes the criteria for determining which disposals can be presented as discontinued operations and modifies related disclosure requirements. The guidance will be effective for fiscal years beginning on or after December 15, 2014 and interim periods within those annual periods with early adoption allowed. The Corporation adopted the guidance effective January 4, 2015, the beginning of the Corporation's 2015 fiscal year. The guidance did not have a material impact on the Corporation's financial statements.
	In May 2014, the FASB issued accounting guidance which outlines a single comprehensive model for entities to use in accounting for revenue arising from contracts with customers. The core principle of the revenue model is that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The guidance will be effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2016. In April 2015, the FASB proposed to defer the effective date of this guidance by one year, with early adoption permitted on the original effective date. The Corporation is currently evaluating the impact of adopting this standard and the method of adoption on its financial statements.

Business_Segment_Information

Business Segment Information	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 04, 2015
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Business Segment Information	Business Segment Information
	Management views the Corporation as being in two reportable segments based on industries: office furniture and hearth products, with the former being the principal business segment.
	The aggregated office furniture segment manufactures and markets a broad line of metal and wood commercial and home office furniture which includes storage products, desks, credenzas, chairs, tables, bookcases, classroom solutions, freestanding office partitions and panel systems and other related products.  The hearth products segment manufactures and markets a broad line of manufactured gas, electric, wood and biomass burning fireplaces, inserts and stoves, facings and accessories, principally for the home.
	For purposes of segment reporting, intercompany sales transfers between segments are not material and operating profit is income before income taxes exclusive of certain unallocated corporate expenses.  These unallocated corporate expenses include the net cost of the Corporation's corporate operations, interest income and interest expense.  Management views interest income and expense as corporate financing costs and not as a reportable segment cost.  In addition, management applies an effective income tax rate to its consolidated income before income taxes so income taxes are not reported or viewed internally on a segment basis. Identifiable assets by segment are those assets applicable to the respective industry segments. Corporate assets consist principally of cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments, long-term investments and corporate office real estate and related equipment.
	No geographic information for revenues from external customers or for long-lived assets is disclosed since the Corporation's primary market and capital investments are concentrated in the United States.
	Reportable segment data reconciled to the Corporation's condensed consolidated financial statements for the three months ended April 4, 2015, and March 29, 2014, is as follows:
		Three Months Ended
	(In thousands)	April 4, 2015			March 29, 2014
	Net Sales:
	Office Furniture	$	407,429		$	358,369
	Hearth Products	116,048			93,832
		$	523,477		$	452,201
	Operating Profit:
	Office furniture	20,152			16,493
	Hearth products	12,501			11,708
	Total operating profit	32,653			28,201
	Unallocated corporate expense	(19,133		)	(11,943		)
	Income before income taxes	$	13,520		$	16,258
	Depreciation & Amortization Expense:
	Office furniture	$	10,377		$	9,499
	Hearth products	1,958			1,176
	General corporate	1,525			1,349
		$	13,860		$	12,024
	Capital Expenditures (including capitalized software):
	Office furniture	$	14,551		$	13,488
	Hearth products	2,404			1,512
	General corporate	11,268			7,693
		$	28,223		$	22,693
		As of			As of
		April 4,			January 3,
		2015			2015
	Identifiable Assets:
	Office furniture	$	734,190		$	724,293
	Hearth products	345,617			341,315
	General corporate	169,345			173,726
		$	1,249,152		$	1,239,334

Basis_of_Presentation_Policies

Basis of Presentation (Policies)	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 04, 2015
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Stock-based Compensation	The Corporation measures stock-based compensation expense at grant date, based on the fair value of the award, and recognizes expense over the employee requisite service period.
Inventory	The Corporation values its inventory at the lower of cost or market with approximately 71% valued by the last-in, first-out ("LIFO") costing method.
Goodwill	The Corporation evaluates its goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment on an annual basis during the fourth quarter, or whenever indicators of impairment exist. The Corporation estimates the fair value of its reporting units using various valuation techniques, with the primary technique being a discounted cash flow method.  This method employs market participant based assumptions. The increase in the hearth segment relates to a purchase price allocation adjustment for an acquisition completed during the fourth quarter of 2014.
Product Warranty	The Corporation issues certain warranty policies on its office furniture and hearth products that provide for repair or replacement of any covered product or component that fails during normal use because of a defect in design or workmanship. Reserves have been established for the various costs associated with the Corporation's warranty programs.
	A warranty reserve is determined by recording a specific reserve for known warranty issues and an additional reserve for unknown claims that are expected to be incurred based on historical claims experience.  Actual claims incurred could differ from the original estimates, requiring adjustments to the reserve.
Derivatives	The Corporation uses derivative financial instruments to reduce its exposure to adverse fluctuations in diesel fuel prices.  On the date a derivative is entered into, the Corporation designates the derivative as (i) a fair value hedge, (ii) a cash flow hedge, (iii) a hedge of a net investment in a foreign operation or (iv) a risk management instrument not designated for hedge accounting.  The Corporation recognizes all derivatives on its Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at fair value.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments	For recognition purposes, on a recurring basis the Corporation is required to measure at fair value its marketable securities and derivative instruments.  The marketable securities are comprised of government securities, corporate bonds and money market funds. When available the Corporation uses quoted market prices to determine fair value and classifies such measurements within Level 1.  Where market prices are not available, the Corporation makes use of observable market-based inputs (prices or quotes from published exchanges/indexes) to calculate fair value using the market approach, in which case the measurements are classified within Level 2.
New Accounting Standards	In April 2014, the FASB issued accounting guidance which changes the criteria for determining which disposals can be presented as discontinued operations and modifies related disclosure requirements. The guidance will be effective for fiscal years beginning on or after December 15, 2014 and interim periods within those annual periods with early adoption allowed. The Corporation adopted the guidance effective January 4, 2015, the beginning of the Corporation's 2015 fiscal year. The guidance did not have a material impact on the Corporation's financial statements.
	In May 2014, the FASB issued accounting guidance which outlines a single comprehensive model for entities to use in accounting for revenue arising from contracts with customers. The core principle of the revenue model is that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The guidance will be effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2016. In April 2015, the FASB proposed to defer the effective date of this guidance by one year, with early adoption permitted on the original effective date. The Corporation is currently evaluating the impact of adopting this standard and the method of adoption on its financial statements.
Segment Reporting	Management views the Corporation as being in two reportable segments based on industries: office furniture and hearth products, with the former being the principal business segment.
	The aggregated office furniture segment manufactures and markets a broad line of metal and wood commercial and home office furniture which includes storage products, desks, credenzas, chairs, tables, bookcases, classroom solutions, freestanding office partitions and panel systems and other related products.  The hearth products segment manufactures and markets a broad line of manufactured gas, electric, wood and biomass burning fireplaces, inserts and stoves, facings and accessories, principally for the home.
	For purposes of segment reporting, intercompany sales transfers between segments are not material and operating profit is income before income taxes exclusive of certain unallocated corporate expenses.  These unallocated corporate expenses include the net cost of the Corporation's corporate operations, interest income and interest expense.  Management views interest income and expense as corporate financing costs and not as a reportable segment cost.  In addition, management applies an effective income tax rate to its consolidated income before income taxes so income taxes are not reported or viewed internally on a segment basis.

Inventories_Tables

Inventories (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 04, 2015
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Inventories	The Corporation values its inventory at the lower of cost or market with approximately 71% valued by the last-in, first-out ("LIFO") costing method.
		April 4, 2015			January 3, 2015
	(In thousands)
	Finished products	$	82,860		$	65,126
	Materials and work in process	89,035			84,677
	LIFO allowance	(28,012		)	(28,012		)
		$	143,883		$	121,791

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv1

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) and Shareholders' Equity (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 04, 2015
Equity [Abstract]
Schedule of Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income and Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Net of Tax	The following table summarizes the components of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) and the changes in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax, as applicable for the three months ended April 4, 2015:
		Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment			Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Marketable Securities									Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
								Pension Postretirement Liability			Derivative Financial Instruments
	(In thousands)
	Balance at January 3, 2015	$	2,223		$	37		$	(6,763	)	$	(872	)	$	(5,375	)
	Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	54			41			—			(238		)	(143		)
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	—			—			—			462			462
	Balance at April 4, 2015	$	2,277		$	78		$	(6,763	)	$	(648	)	$	(5,056	)
	All amounts are net-of tax. Amounts in parentheses indicate debits.
Schedule of Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	The following table details the reclassifications from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) for the three months ended April 4, 2015 and March 29, 2014 (in thousands):
				Three Months Ended
	Details about Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Components	Affected Line Item in the Statement Where Net Income Is Presented		April 4, 2015			March 29, 2014
	Derivative financial instruments
	Diesel hedge	Selling and administrative expenses		$	(694	)	$	55
		Tax (expense) or benefit		232			(20		)
		Net of tax		$	(462	)	$	35
	Amounts in parentheses indicate reductions to profit.

Earnings_Per_Share_Tables

Earnings Per Share (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 04, 2015
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Schedule of Earnings Per Share Basic and Diluted Table	The following table reconciles the numerators and denominators used in the calculation of basic and diluted earnings per share ("EPS"):
		Three Months Ended
	(In thousands, except per share data)	April 4, 2015		March 29, 2014
	Numerators:
	Numerator for both basic and diluted EPS attributable to HNI Corporation net income	$	8,478	$	11,096
	Denominators:
	Denominator for basic EPS weighted-average common shares outstanding	44,304		45,039
	Potentially dilutive shares from stock-based compensation plans	1,220		799
	Denominator for diluted EPS	45,524		45,838
	Earnings per share – basic	$	0.19	$	0.25
	Earnings per share – diluted	$	0.19	$	0.24

Recovered_Sheet1

Restructuring Reserve and Plant Closures (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 04, 2015
Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]
Summary of Changes in Restructuring Accruals	The following is a summary of changes in restructuring accruals during the three months ended April 4, 2015.
		Severance			Facility Exit Costs & Other			Total
	(In thousands)
	Balance as of January 3, 2015	$	1,213		$	—		$	1,213
	Restructuring charges	8			369			377
	Cash payments	(192		)	(369		)	(561		)
	Balance as of April 4, 2015	$	1,029		$	—		$	1,029

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_1

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 04, 2015
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets by Major Class	The table below summarizes amortizable definite-lived intangible assets as of April 4, 2015 and January 3, 2015, which are reflected in the "Other Assets" line item in the Corporation's Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets:
	(In thousands)	April 4, 2015			January 3, 2015
	Patents	$	18,945		$	18,945
	Less: accumulated amortization	18,736			18,724
	Net patents	209			221
	Software	100,558			93,343
	Less: accumulated amortization	18,560			17,711
	Net software	81,998			75,632
	Customer lists and other	126,230			125,095
	Less: accumulated amortization	61,697			59,743
	Net customer lists and other	64,533			65,352
	Net intangible assets	$	146,740		$	141,205
Schedule of Expected Amortization Expense Table	Based on the current amount of intangible assets subject to amortization, the estimated amortization expense for each of the following five fiscal years is as follows:
	(In millions)	2015			2016			2017			2018		2019
	Amortization Expense	$	11.6		$	16.4		$	15.7		$	15.1	$	15
Schedule of Goodwill	The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill since January 3, 2015 are as follows by reporting segment:
		Office			Hearth			Total
	(In thousands)	Furniture			Products
	Balance as of January 3, 2015
	Goodwill	$	149,713		$	181,901		$	331,614
	Accumulated impairment losses	(52,161		)	(143		)	(52,304		)
		97,552			181,758			279,310
	Goodwill acquired	—			458			458
	Foreign currency translation adjustments	4			—			4
	Balance as of April 4, 2015
	Goodwill	149,717			182,359			332,076
	Accumulated impairment losses	(52,161		)	(143		)	(52,304		)
		$	97,556		$	182,216		$	279,772

Product_Warranties_Tables

Product Warranties (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 04, 2015
Product Warranties Disclosures [Abstract]
Activity Associated with Warranty Obligations	Activity associated with warranty obligations was as follows during the periods noted:
		Three Months Ended
	(In thousands)	April 4, 2015			March 29, 2014
	Balance at beginning of period	$	16,719		$	13,840
	Accruals for warranties issued during period	6,102			4,716
	Adjustments related to pre-existing warranties	339			(129		)
	Settlements made during the period	(6,381		)	(4,623		)
	Balance at end of period	$	16,779		$	13,804

Postretirement_Health_Care_Tab

Postretirement Health Care (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 04, 2015
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]
Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost	The following table sets forth the components of net periodic benefit cost included in the Corporation's Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for:
		Three Months Ended
	(In thousands)	April 4, 2015		March 29, 2014
	Service cost	$	201	$	126
	Interest cost	204		184
	Amortization of (gain)/loss	59		—
	Net periodic benefit cost	$	464	$	310

Derivative_Financial_Instrumen1

Derivative Financial Instruments (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 04, 2015
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
Location and Fair Value of Derivative Instruments Reported in Balance Sheets	The location and fair value of derivative instruments reported in the Corporation's Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets are as follows (in thousands):
				Asset (Liability) Fair Value
		Balance Sheet Location		April 4, 2015			January 3, 2015
	Diesel fuel swap	Accounts payable and accrued expenses		$	(1,038	)	$	(1,374	)
	Diesel fuel swap	Prepaid expenses and other current assets		—			—
				$	(1,038	)	$	(1,374	)
Effect of Derivative Instruments on Statements of Comprehensive Income	The effect of derivative instruments on the Corporation's Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the three months ended April 4, 2015 was as follows (in thousands):
	Derivatives in Cash Flow Hedge Relationship	Before-tax Gain (Loss) Recognized in AOCI on Derivative (Effective Portion)				Locations of Gain (Loss) Reclassified from AOCI into Income (Effective Portion)	Before-Tax Gain (Loss) Reclassified from AOCI Into Income (Effective Portion)			Locations of Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivative (Ineffective Portion)	Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivative (Ineffective Portion)
	Diesel fuel swap	$	(358	)		Selling and administrative expenses	$	(694	)	Selling and administrative expenses	$	—
	Total	$	(358	)			$	(694	)		$	—
	The effect of derivative instruments on the Corporation's Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the three months ended March 29, 2014 was as follows (in thousands):
	Derivatives in Cash Flow Hedge Relationship	Before-tax Gain (Loss) Recognized in AOCI on Derivative (Effective Portion)				Locations of Gain (Loss) Reclassified from AOCI into Income (Effective Portion)	Before-Tax Gain (Loss) Reclassified from AOCI Into Income (Effective Portion)			Locations of Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivative (Ineffective Portion)	Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivative (Ineffective Portion)
	Diesel fuel swap	$	(98	)		Selling and administrative expenses	$	55		Selling and administrative expenses	$	(1	)
	Total	$	(98	)			$	55			$	(1	)

Fair_Value_Measurements_Tables

Fair Value Measurements (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 04, 2015
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Schedule of Assets Measured at Fair Value	Assets measured at fair value as of April 4, 2015 were as follows:
					Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets		Significant other observable inputs			Significant unobservable inputs
		Fair value as of measurement date			(Level 1)		(Level 2)			(Level 3)
	(In thousands)
	Government securities	$	9,844		$	—	$	9,844		$	—
	Corporate bonds	$	2,226		$	—	$	2,226		$	—
	Derivative financial instruments	$	(1,038	)	$	—	$	(1,038	)	$	—
	Assets measured at fair value as of January 3, 2015 were as follows:
					Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets		Significant other observable inputs			Significant unobservable inputs
		Fair value as of measurement date			(Level 1)		(Level 2)			(Level 3)
	(In thousands)
	Government securities	$	9,835		$	—	$	9,835		$	—
	Corporate bonds	$	2,205		$	—	$	2,205		$	—
	Derivative financial instruments	$	(1,374	)	$	—	$	(1,374	)	$	—

Business_Segment_Information_T

Business Segment Information (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 04, 2015
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Business Segment Information	Reportable segment data reconciled to the Corporation's condensed consolidated financial statements for the three months ended April 4, 2015, and March 29, 2014, is as follows:
		Three Months Ended
	(In thousands)	April 4, 2015			March 29, 2014
	Net Sales:
	Office Furniture	$	407,429		$	358,369
	Hearth Products	116,048			93,832
		$	523,477		$	452,201
	Operating Profit:
	Office furniture	20,152			16,493
	Hearth products	12,501			11,708
	Total operating profit	32,653			28,201
	Unallocated corporate expense	(19,133		)	(11,943		)
	Income before income taxes	$	13,520		$	16,258
	Depreciation & Amortization Expense:
	Office furniture	$	10,377		$	9,499
	Hearth products	1,958			1,176
	General corporate	1,525			1,349
		$	13,860		$	12,024
	Capital Expenditures (including capitalized software):
	Office furniture	$	14,551		$	13,488
	Hearth products	2,404			1,512
	General corporate	11,268			7,693
		$	28,223		$	22,693
		As of			As of
		April 4,			January 3,
		2015			2015
	Identifiable Assets:
	Office furniture	$	734,190		$	724,293
	Hearth products	345,617			341,315
	General corporate	169,345			173,726
		$	1,249,152		$	1,239,334

StockBased_Compensation_Detail

Stock-Based Compensation (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 04, 2015	Mar. 29, 2014
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense	$3.50	$2.60
Stock Options [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Unrecognized compensation cost	7.6
Remaining requisite service period for unrecognized compensation cost (in years)	1 year 1 month 6 days
Restricted Stock Units [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Unrecognized compensation cost	$1.50
Remaining requisite service period for unrecognized compensation cost (in years)	1 year 4 months 24 days

Inventories_Details

Inventories (Details) (USD $)	Apr. 04, 2015	Jan. 03, 2015
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
Percentage of LIFO Inventory	71.00%
Inventory, Net [Abstract]
Finished products	$82,860	$65,126
Materials and work in process	89,035	84,677
LIFO allowance	-28,012	-28,012
Inventories	$143,883	$121,791

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv2

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) and Shareholders' Equity (Components) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 04, 2015	Mar. 29, 2014
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Balance at January 3, 2015	($5,375)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassification	319	448
Balance at April 4, 2015	-5,056
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Balance at January 3, 2015	-5,375
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassification	-143
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	462
Balance at April 4, 2015	-5,056
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Balance at January 3, 2015	2,223
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassification	54
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	0
Balance at April 4, 2015	2,277
Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Marketable Securities [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Balance at January 3, 2015	37
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassification	41
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	0
Balance at April 4, 2015	78
Pension Postretirement Liability [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Balance at January 3, 2015	-6,763
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassification	0
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	0
Balance at April 4, 2015	-6,763
Derivative Financial Instruments [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Balance at January 3, 2015	-872
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassification	-238
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	462
Balance at April 4, 2015	($648)

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv3

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) and Shareholders' Equity (Reclassification) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 04, 2015	Mar. 29, 2014
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Selling and administrative expenses	($168,704)	($145,210)
Tax (expense) or benefit	-5,068	-5,242
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] | Derivative Financial Instruments [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Selling and administrative expenses	-694	55
Tax (expense) or benefit	232	-20
Total	($462)	$35

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv4

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) and Shareholders' Equity (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 04, 2015	Mar. 29, 2014
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Cash dividends per common share (in dollars per share)	$0.25	$0.24
Common Stock [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Repurchased common stock, shares	103,700
Repurchased common stock, value	$5.30
Stock repurchase program, remaining authorized repurchase amount	$214.10

Earnings_Per_Share_Details

Earnings Per Share (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 04, 2015	Mar. 29, 2014
Numerators:
Numerator for both basic and diluted EPS attributable to HNI Corporation net income	$8,478	$11,096
Denominators:
Denominator for basic EPS weighted-average common shares outstanding	44,303,788	45,038,512
Potentially dilutive shares from stock-based compensation plans	1,220,000	799,000
Denominator for diluted EPS	45,523,785	45,837,579
Earnings per share - basic (in dollars per share)	$0.19	$0.25
Earnings per share - diluted (in dollars per share)	$0.19	$0.24
Earnings Per Share, Diluted, Other Disclosures [Abstract]
Antidilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share	268,494	1,038,678

Restructuring_Reserve_And_Plan1

Restructuring Reserve And Plant Closures (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 04, 2015	Mar. 29, 2014
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Sales price of furniture manufacturing facility	$52,000	$12,011,000
Gain on sale of furniture manufacturing facility	0	8,400,000
Income tax expense	5,068,000	5,242,000
Office Furniture [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost	400,000
Facility Closing [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Sales price of furniture manufacturing facility		12,000,000
Gain on sale of furniture manufacturing facility		5,700,000
Income tax expense		$2,700,000

Recovered_Sheet2

Restructuring Reserve and Plant Closures (Changes in Restructuring Accruals) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 04, 2015
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Balance as of January 3, 2015	$1,213
Restructuring charges	377
Cash payments	-561
Balance as of April 4, 2015	1,029
Severance [Member]
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Balance as of January 3, 2015	1,213
Restructuring charges	8
Cash payments	-192
Balance as of April 4, 2015	1,029
Facility Exit Costs & Other [Member]
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Balance as of January 3, 2015	0
Restructuring charges	369
Cash payments	-369
Balance as of April 4, 2015	$0

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_2

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 04, 2015	Mar. 29, 2014	Jan. 03, 2015
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Aggregated amortization expense	$2.80	$2.60
Trademarks and Trade Names [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Indefinite-lived intangible assets (excluding goodwill)	$41		$41

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_3

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Other Intangible Assets) (Details) (USD $)	Apr. 04, 2015	Jan. 03, 2015
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net [Abstract]
Finite-lived intangible assets, net	$146,740,000	$141,205,000
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Future Amortization Expense [Abstract]
2015	11,600,000
2016	16,400,000
2017	15,700,000
2018	15,100,000
2019	15,000,000
Patents [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net [Abstract]
Finite-lived intangible assets, gross	18,945,000	18,945,000
Less: accumulated amortization	18,736,000	18,724,000
Finite-lived intangible assets, net	209,000	221,000
Software [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net [Abstract]
Finite-lived intangible assets, gross	100,558,000	93,343,000
Less: accumulated amortization	18,560,000	17,711,000
Finite-lived intangible assets, net	81,998,000	75,632,000
Customer Relationships [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net [Abstract]
Finite-lived intangible assets, gross	126,230,000	125,095,000
Less: accumulated amortization	61,697,000	59,743,000
Finite-lived intangible assets, net	$64,533,000	$65,352,000

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_4

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Goodwill) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 04, 2015
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, gross, beginning balance	$331,614
Accumulated impairment losses, beginning balance	-52,304
Goodwill, net, beginning balance	279,310
Goodwill acquired	458
Foreign currency translation adjustments	4
Goodwill, gross, ending balance	332,076
Accumulated impairment losses, ending balance	-52,304
Goodwill, net, ending balance	279,772
Office Furniture [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, gross, beginning balance	149,713
Accumulated impairment losses, beginning balance	-52,161
Goodwill, net, beginning balance	97,552
Goodwill acquired	0
Foreign currency translation adjustments	4
Goodwill, gross, ending balance	149,717
Accumulated impairment losses, ending balance	-52,161
Goodwill, net, ending balance	97,556
Hearth Products [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, gross, beginning balance	181,901
Accumulated impairment losses, beginning balance	-143
Goodwill, net, beginning balance	181,758
Goodwill acquired	458
Foreign currency translation adjustments	0
Goodwill, gross, ending balance	182,359
Accumulated impairment losses, ending balance	-143
Goodwill, net, ending balance	$182,216

Product_Warranties_Details

Product Warranties (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 04, 2015	Mar. 29, 2014
Product Warranty Accrual [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period	$16,719,000	$13,840,000
Accruals for warranties issued during period	6,102,000	4,716,000
Adjustments related to pre-existing warranties	339,000	-129,000
Settlements made during the period	-6,381,000	-4,623,000
Balance at end of period	16,779,000	13,804,000
Standard product warranty accrual, current	8,500,000	6,700,000
Standard product warranty accrual, noncurrent	$8,300,000	$7,100,000

Postretirement_Health_Care_Det

Postretirement Health Care (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 04, 2015	Mar. 29, 2014
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]
Service cost	$201	$126
Interest cost	204	184
Amortization of (gain)/loss	59	0
Net periodic benefit cost	$464	$310

Income_Taxes_Details

Income Taxes (Details)	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 04, 2015	Mar. 29, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Effective income tax rate	37.50%	32.20%

Derivative_Financial_Instrumen2

Derivative Financial Instruments (Narrative) (Details) (Diesel Fuel Swap [Member], USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 04, 2015
	counterparty
Diesel Fuel Swap [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative, Number of Counterparties	2
Expected hedging percentage of diesel fuel requirements for next twelve months	50.00%
Deferred net losses, net of tax expected to be reclassified to current earnings over the next twelve months	$0.60

Derivative_Financial_Instrumen3

Derivative Financial Instruments (Balance Sheet Location) (Details) (USD $)	Apr. 04, 2015	Jan. 03, 2015
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Derivative, Fair Value, Net [Abstract]
Derivative asset (liability) fair value	($1,038)	($1,374)
Diesel Fuel Swap [Member] | Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses [Member]
Derivative, Fair Value, Net [Abstract]
Derivative asset (liability) fair value	-1,038	-1,374
Diesel Fuel Swap [Member] | Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets [Member]
Derivative, Fair Value, Net [Abstract]
Derivative asset (liability) fair value	$0	$0

Derivative_Financial_Instrumen4

Derivative Financial Instruments (Effect of Derivatives on Income Statement) (Details) (Cash Flow Hedging [Member], USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 04, 2015	Mar. 29, 2014
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Before-tax Gain (Loss) Recognized in AOCI on Derivative (Effective Portion)	($358)	($98)
Before-Tax Gain (Loss) Reclassified from AOCI Into Income (Effective Portion)	-694	55
Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivative (Ineffective Portion)	0	-1
Diesel Fuel Swap [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Before-tax Gain (Loss) Recognized in AOCI on Derivative (Effective Portion)	-358	-98
Diesel Fuel Swap [Member] | Selling and Administrative Expense [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Before-Tax Gain (Loss) Reclassified from AOCI Into Income (Effective Portion)	-694	55
Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivative (Ineffective Portion)	$0	($1)

Fair_Value_Measurements_Assets

Fair Value Measurements (Assets) (Details) (USD $)	Apr. 04, 2015	Jan. 03, 2015
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Assets Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Derivative financial instruments	($1,038)	($1,374)
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Assets Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Derivative financial instruments	-1,038	-1,374
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) [Member]
Assets Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Derivative financial instruments	0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member]
Assets Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Derivative financial instruments	-1,038	-1,374
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Assets Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Derivative financial instruments	0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Government Securities [Member]
Assets Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Available-for-sale securities, fair value disclosure	9,844	9,835
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Government Securities [Member] | Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) [Member]
Assets Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Available-for-sale securities, fair value disclosure	0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Government Securities [Member] | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member]
Assets Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Available-for-sale securities, fair value disclosure	9,844	9,835
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Government Securities [Member] | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Assets Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Available-for-sale securities, fair value disclosure	0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Corporate Bonds [Member]
Assets Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Available-for-sale securities, fair value disclosure	2,226	2,205
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Corporate Bonds [Member] | Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) [Member]
Assets Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Available-for-sale securities, fair value disclosure	0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Corporate Bonds [Member] | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member]
Assets Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Available-for-sale securities, fair value disclosure	2,226	2,205
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Corporate Bonds [Member] | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Assets Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Available-for-sale securities, fair value disclosure	$0	$0

Fair_Value_Measurements_Longte

Fair Value Measurements (Long-term Debt) (Details) (USD $)	Apr. 04, 2015	Jan. 03, 2015
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt	$198,023,000	$197,736,000
Fixed Rate Debt Instruments [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt, fair value	152,000,000	154,000,000
Long-term debt	$150,000,000	$150,000,000

Commitments_and_Contingencies_

Commitments and Contingencies (Details) (USD $)	Apr. 04, 2015
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Letters of credit used to back insurance policies and other obligations	$11

Business_Segment_Information_D

Business Segment Information (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 04, 2015	Mar. 29, 2014	Jan. 03, 2015
	Segment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of business segments	2
Net sales	$523,477	$452,201
Income before income taxes	13,520	16,258
Depreciation and amortization expense	13,860	12,024
Capital expenditures (including capitalized software)	28,223	22,693
Identifiable assets	1,249,152		1,239,334
Operating Segments [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total operating profit	32,653	28,201
Office Furniture [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	407,429	358,369
Total operating profit	20,152	16,493
Depreciation and amortization expense	10,377	9,499
Capital expenditures (including capitalized software)	14,551	13,488
Identifiable assets	734,190		724,293
Hearth Products [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	116,048	93,832
Total operating profit	12,501	11,708
Depreciation and amortization expense	1,958	1,176
Capital expenditures (including capitalized software)	2,404	1,512
Identifiable assets	345,617		341,315
Segment Reconciling Items [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Unallocated corporate expense	-19,133	-11,943
Depreciation and amortization expense	1,525	1,349
Capital expenditures (including capitalized software)	11,268	7,693
Identifiable assets	$169,345		$173,726