Earnings per Share - Reconciliation (Details) - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Apr. 29, 2017	Apr. 30, 2016	Apr. 25, 2015
Numerator (basic and diluted):
Net income attributable to La-Z-Boy Incorporated	$ 85,922	$ 79,252	$ 70,773
Income allocated to participating securities, basic	(422)	(401)	(395)
Income allocated to participating securities, diluted	(422)	(401)	(395)
Net income available to common shareholders, basic	85,500	78,851	70,378
Net income available to common shareholders, diluted	$ 85,500	$ 78,851	$ 70,378
Denominator
Basic weighted average common shares outstanding (in shares)	48,963	50,194	51,767
Add:
Contingent common shares (in shares)	194	238	250
Stock option dilution (in shares)	313	333	329
Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding (in shares)	49,470	50,765	52,346