Document And Entity Information - shares	6 Months Ended
	May 28, 2016	Jun. 17, 2016
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Registrant Name	BASSETT FURNITURE INDUSTRIES INC
Entity Central Index Key	0000010329
Trading Symbol	bset
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--11-26
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding (in shares)		10,904,934
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	May 28, 2016
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2016
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2
Amendment Flag	false