Earnings per Share - Reconciliation (Details) - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Apr. 28, 2018	Apr. 29, 2017	Apr. 30, 2016
Numerator (basic and diluted):
Net income attributable to La-Z-Boy Incorporated	$ 80,866	$ 85,922	$ 79,252
Income allocated to participating securities, basic	(407)	(422)	(401)
Income allocated to participating securities, diluted	(407)	(422)	(401)
Net income available to common shareholders, basic	80,459	85,500	78,851
Net income available to common shareholders, diluted	$ 80,459	$ 85,500	$ 78,851
Denominator
Basic weighted average common shares outstanding (in shares)	47,621	48,963	50,194
Add:
Contingent common shares (in shares)	211	194	238
Stock option dilution (in shares)	303	313	333
Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding (in shares)	48,135	49,470	50,765