Earnings per Share - Reconciliation (Details) - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jan. 28, 2017	Jan. 23, 2016	Jan. 28, 2017	Jan. 23, 2016
Numerator (basic and diluted):
Net income attributable to La-Z-Boy Incorporated	$ 23,286	$ 21,906	$ 57,925	$ 56,534
Income allocated to participating securities, basic	(115)	(107)	(287)	(292)
Income allocated to participating securities, diluted	(115)	(107)	(287)	(292)
Net income available to common shareholders, basic	23,171	21,799	57,638	56,242
Net income available to common shareholders, diluted	$ 23,171	$ 21,799	$ 57,638	$ 56,242
Denominator
Basic weighted average common shares outstanding (in shares)	48,914	50,038	49,057	50,371
Add:
Contingent common shares (in shares)	155	171	155	172
Stock option dilution (in shares)	315	330	320	337
Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding (in shares)	49,384	50,539	49,532	50,880