Earnings per Share - Reconciliation (Details) - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Jul. 30, 2016	Jul. 25, 2015
Numerator (basic and diluted):
Net income attributable to La-Z-Boy Incorporated	$ 13,806	$ 13,676
Income allocated to participating securities, basic	(69)	(78)
Income allocated to participating securities, diluted	(69)	(78)
Net income available to common shareholders, basic	13,737	13,598
Net income available to common shareholders, diluted	$ 13,737	$ 13,598
Denominator
Basic weighted average common shares outstanding (in shares)	49,105	50,583
Add:
Contingent common shares (in shares)	131	119
Stock option dilution (in shares)	358	341
Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding (in shares)	49,594	51,043