CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Apr. 26, 2014	Apr. 27, 2013	Apr. 28, 2012
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME [Abstract]
Sales	$ 1,357,318	$ 1,273,877	$ 1,166,705
Cost of sales
Cost of goods sold	888,025	854,542	795,957
Restructuring	4,839	2,480	13
Total cost of sales	892,864	857,022	795,970
Gross profit	464,454	416,855	370,735
Selling, general and administrative expense	375,158	349,101	321,770
Restructuring	0	151	268
Operating income	89,296	67,603	48,697
Interest expense	548	746	1,384
Interest income	761	620	609
Income from Continued Dumping and Subsidy Offset Act, net	0	0	11,066
Other income (expense), net	2,050	3,208	(38)
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	91,559	70,685	58,950
Income tax expense (benefit)	31,383	23,520	(25,052)
Income from continuing operations	60,176	47,165	84,002
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	(3,796)	17	4,906
Net income	56,380	47,182	88,908
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(1,324)	(793)	(942)
Net income attributable to La-Z-Boy Incorporated	55,056	46,389	87,966
Net income attributable to La-Z-Boy Incorporated:
Income from continuing operations attributable to La-Z-Boy Incorporated	58,852	46,372	83,060
Income (loss) from discontinued operations	(3,796)	17	4,906
Net income attributable to La-Z-Boy Incorporated	$ 55,056	$ 46,389	$ 87,966
Basic average shares (in shares)	52,386	52,351	51,944
Basic net income attributable to La-Z-Boy Incorporated per share:
Income from continuing operations attributable to La-Z-Boy Incorporated (in dollars per share)	$ 1.11	$ 0.87	$ 1.57
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax (in dollars per share)	$ (0.07)	$ 0	$ 0.09
Basic net income attributable to La-Z-Boy Incorporated per share (in dollars per share)	$ 1.04	$ 0.87	$ 1.66
Diluted average shares (in shares)	53,829	53,685	52,478
Diluted net income attributable to La-Z-Boy Incorporated per share:
Income from continuing operations attributable to La-ZBoy Incorporated (in dollars per share)	$ 1.09	$ 0.85	$ 1.55
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax (in dollars per share)	$ (0.07)	$ 0	$ 0.09
Diluted net income attributable to La-Z-Boy Incorporated per share (in dollars per share)	$ 1.02	$ 0.85	$ 1.64
Dividends declared per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.20	$ 0.08	$ 0