Shareholders' Equity (Narrative) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011 years	Dec. 25, 2010 years	Dec. 26, 2009 years
Shareholders' Equity [Line Items]
Preferred stock-shares outstanding	638,353	686,696
Common stock - shares authorized	200,000,000	200,000,000
Common stock - shares issued	86,158,662
Common stock - shares outstanding	86,158,662	85,057,710
Common stock - reserved	10,960,412
Total income tax benefit recognized in the income statement for share-based compensation arrangements	$ 6.5	$ 5.1	$ 3.3
Pre-tax compensation expense	16.7	13.2	8.5
Company allocation of stock units matched with deferrals used for purchase	25.00%
Stock units allocated to executive officers	2,441	3,889
Risk-free interest rate	1.92%	2.12%	2.20%
Expected life, in years	4.5	3.7	3.0
Expected stock price volatility	65.17%	67.21%	87.30%
Company granted stock options	1,457,280	2,060,246	2,071,360
Stock option, vesting period	three
Expiration of grant date fair value	seven
Stock Options [Member]
Shareholders' Equity [Line Items]
Remaining compensation expense to be recognized	8.3
Restricted Stock [Member]
Shareholders' Equity [Line Items]
Convertible restricted stock units	1
Remaining compensation expense to be recognized	2.0
Additional Paid-In Capital [Member] | Stock Options [Member]
Shareholders' Equity [Line Items]
Pre-tax compensation expense	11.1	5.2	2.4
Additional Paid-In Capital [Member] | Restricted Stock [Member]
Shareholders' Equity [Line Items]
Pre-tax compensation expense	5.6	8.0	6.1
Series D ESOP Preferred Stock [Member]
Shareholders' Equity [Line Items]
Preferred stock-shares outstanding	638,353
Preferred stock - dividend percentage	7.375%
Preferred stock - liquidation preference, per share	$ 45
Preferred Stock - voting right	1
Cumulative dividend	$ 3.318750
Preferred stock - conversion shares	0.82168
Common stock - reserved	524,521
2003 Director Stock Compensation Plan [Member]
Shareholders' Equity [Line Items]
Common stock - reserved	57,187
2003 OfficeMax Incentive And Performance Plan [Member]
Shareholders' Equity [Line Items]
Common stock - reserved	9,619,788
Maximum [Member]
Shareholders' Equity [Line Items]
Aggregate intrinsic value for outstanding stock options	1.0
Aggregate intrinsic value for exercisable stock options	$ 1.0