CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 02, 2016	Jan. 03, 2015	Dec. 28, 2013
Net Cash Flows From (To) Operating Activities:
Net income (loss)	$ 105,406	$ 61,155	$ 63,369
Noncash items included in net income:
Depreciation and amortization	57,564	56,722	46,621
Other postretirement and post-employment benefits	1,856	1,239	1,309
Stock-based compensation	9,097	8,597	7,451
Excess tax benefits from stock compensation	(1,581)	(2,161)	(2,211)
Deferred income taxes	15,257	14,655	18,451
Net (gain) loss on sale of long-lived assets	1,222	(10,327)	344
Loss on impairment of intangibles	11,241	29,382	0
Loss on sale of business	0	0	2,177
Other – net	(1,216)	4,693	4,419
Changes in working capital, excluding acquisition and disposition:
Receivables	(3,592)	8,631	(21,029)
Inventories	(4,221)	(23,437)	1,606
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	(5,940)	(4,622)	526
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	(21,121)	32,915	31,215
Income taxes	6,799	(11,165)	4,525
Increase (decrease) in other liabilities	2,581	1,519	6,229
Net cash flows from (to) operating activities	173,352	167,796	165,002
Net Cash Flows From (To) Investing Activities:
Capital expenditures	(82,610)	(74,323)	(60,977)
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment	2,201	16,361	421
Capitalized software	(32,356)	(38,390)	(17,918)
Acquisition spending, net of cash acquired	0	(61,823)	0
Purchase of investments	(3,660)	(3,801)	(1,107)
Sales or maturities of investments	3,550	7,770	5,053
Other – net	0	(4)	(891)
Net cash flows from (to) investing activities	(112,875)	(154,210)	(75,419)
Net Cash Flows From (To) Financing Activities:
Purchase of HNI Corporation common stock	(26,657)	(67,908)	(27,488)
Withholding related to net share settlements of equity based awards	(171)	(79)	(1,598)
Proceeds from note and long-term debt	448,449	282,808	157,967
Payments of note and long-term debt and other financing	(455,222)	(235,595)	(163,524)
Proceeds from sale of HNI Corporation common stock	12,276	18,469	9,591
Excess tax benefits from stock compensation	1,581	2,161	2,211
Dividends paid	(46,329)	(44,328)	(43,494)
Net cash flows from (to) financing activities	(66,073)	(44,472)	(66,335)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(5,596)	(30,886)	23,248
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	34,144	65,030	41,782
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	$ 28,548	$ 34,144	$ 65,030