Percentage points added to the reference rate to compute the variable rate on the debt instrument.

No definition available.

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Face (par) amount of debt instrument at time of issuance.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 835
-SubTopic 30
-Section 55
-Paragraph 8
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=64930739&loc=d3e28878-108400

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 835
-SubTopic 30
-Section 45
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=64930785&loc=d3e28551-108399

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Date when the debt instrument is scheduled to be fully repaid, in CCYY-MM-DD format.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentMaturityDate
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:dateItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The total amount of the contingent obligation under letters of credit outstanding as of the reporting date.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LettersOfCreditOutstandingAmount
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The carrying value as of the balance sheet date of the current and noncurrent portions of long-term obligations drawn from a line of credit, which is a bank's commitment to make loans up to a specific amount. Examples of items that might be included in the application of this element may consist of letters of credit, standby letters of credit, and revolving credit arrangements, under which borrowings can be made up to a maximum amount as of any point in time conditional on satisfaction of specified terms before, as of and after the date of drawdowns on the line. Includes short-term obligations that would normally be classified as current liabilities but for which (a) postbalance sheet date issuance of a long term obligation to refinance the short term obligation on a long term basis, or (b) the enterprise has entered into a financing agreement that clearly permits the enterprise to refinance the short-term obligation on a long term basis and the following conditions are met (1) the agreement does not expire within 1 year and is not cancelable by the lender except for violation of an objectively determinable provision, (2) no violation exists at the BS date, and (3) the lender has entered into the financing agreement is expected to be financially capable of honoring the agreement.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02(22))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 944
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03(16))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879938&loc=d3e572229-122910

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 942
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03(16))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LineOfCredit
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of current borrowing capacity under the credit facility considering any current restrictions on the amount that could be borrowed (for example, borrowings may be limited by the amount of current assets), but without considering any amounts currently outstanding under the facility.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityCurrentBorrowingCapacity
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Date the credit facility terminates, in CCYY-MM-DD format.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityExpirationDate1
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:dateItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Description of the interest rate for the amounts borrowed under the credit facility, including the terms and the method for determining the interest rate (for example, fixed or variable, LIBOR plus a percentage, increasing rate, timing of interest rate resets, remarketing provisions).

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityInterestRateDescription
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Maximum amount borrowed under the credit facility at any time during the period.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumAmountOutstandingDuringPeriod
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Maximum borrowing capacity under the credit facility without consideration of any current restrictions on the amount that could be borrowed or the amounts currently outstanding under the facility.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount, after unamortized (discount) premium and debt issuance costs, of long-term debt. Includes, but not limited to, notes payable, bonds payable, debentures, mortgage loans and commercial paper. Excludes capital lease obligations.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 944
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03(a)(16))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879938&loc=d3e572229-122910

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 942
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03(16))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02(22))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongTermDebt
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Weighted average interest rate of long-term debt outstanding calculated at point in time.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongtermDebtWeightedAverageInterestRate
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Weighted average interest rate of short-term debt outstanding calculated at point in time.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ShortTermDebtWeightedAverageInterestRate
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Reflects when the letter of credit facilities terminates, which may be presented in a variety of ways (year, month and year, day, month and year, quarter).

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	wsm_LetterOfCreditFacilitiesMaturityDate
Namespace Prefix:	wsm_
Data Type:	xbrli:dateItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Maximum borrowing capacity under the letter of credit facilities without consideration of any current restrictions on the amount that could be borrowed or the amounts currently outstanding under the facilities.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	wsm_LetterOfCreditFacilitiesMaximumBorrowingCapacity
Namespace Prefix:	wsm_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Expiration date for future letters of credit issued under the letter of credit facilities.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	wsm_LineOfCreditExpirationDateForFutureCreditFacilities
Namespace Prefix:	wsm_
Data Type:	xbrli:dateItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Additional borrowing capacity that may be requested upon notice to the lenders.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	wsm_LineOfCreditFacilityAdditionalBorrowingCapacity
Namespace Prefix:	wsm_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount available to be drawn upon by standby letter of credit beneficiaries under the credit facility as of the balance sheet date.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	wsm_LineOfCreditFacilityAmountIssuedButUndrawn
Namespace Prefix:	wsm_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis=us-gaap_StandbyLettersOfCreditMember
Namespace Prefix:
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Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis=wsm_UnsecuredRevolvingLineOfCreditMember
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Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_RangeAxis=us-gaap_MaximumMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_VariableRateAxis=wsm_MarginBasedOnLeverageRatioMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_RangeAxis=us-gaap_MinimumMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_VariableRateAxis=us-gaap_BaseRateMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis=wsm_UnsecuredTermLoanFacilityMember
Namespace Prefix:
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Borrowing Arrangements - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($)		12 Months Ended
	Jan. 08, 2018	Jan. 28, 2018	Jan. 29, 2017
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Amount of borrowings under revolving line during period		$ 170,000,000	$ 125,000,000
Amount outstanding under revolving line		$ 0	$ 0
Interest rate description		Interest on unreimbursed amounts under the letter of credit facilities accrues at a base rate as defined in the credit facility, plus a margin based on our leverage ratio.
Maximum borrowing capacity under letter of credit facilities including additional borrowing capacity		$ 70,000,000
Letter of credit facilities, maturity date		Aug. 25, 2018
Outstanding letter of credit facilities		$ 6,721,000
Latest expiration date possible for future letters of credit		Jan. 22, 2019
Standby Letters of Credit
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Amount issued but undrawn under credit facility		$ 12,780,000
Unsecured Revolving Line Of Credit
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Current borrowing capacity	$ 500,000,000
Maximum borrowing capacity including additional borrowing capacity	$ 750,000,000
Revolving line, maturity date	Jan. 08, 2023
Weighted average interest rate		2.21%	1.54%
Interest rate description		The interest rate under the credit facility is variable, and may be elected by us as (i) the London Interbank Offer Rate ("LIBOR") plus an applicable margin based on our leverage ratio ranging from 0.91% to 1.775% for a revolver borrowing, and 1.0% to 2.0% for the term loan; or (ii) a base rate as defined in the credit facility, plus an applicable margin ranging from 0% to 0.775% for a revolver borrowing, and 0% to 1% for the term loan.
Unsecured Revolving Line Of Credit \| Maximum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Additional borrowing capacity	$ 250,000,000
Unsecured Revolving Line Of Credit \| Margin Based On Leverage Ratio \| Maximum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Leverage ratio		1.775%
Unsecured Revolving Line Of Credit \| Margin Based On Leverage Ratio \| Minimum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Leverage ratio		0.91%
Unsecured Revolving Line Of Credit \| Base Rate \| Maximum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Leverage ratio		0.775%
Unsecured Revolving Line Of Credit \| Base Rate \| Minimum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Leverage ratio		0.00%
Unsecured Term Loan Facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument face amount	$ 300,000,000
Long term debt		$ 300,000,000
Debt instrument, maturity date		Jan. 08, 2021
Weighted average interest rate		2.68%
Unsecured Term Loan Facility \| Margin Based On Leverage Ratio \| Maximum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Leverage ratio		2.00%
Unsecured Term Loan Facility \| Margin Based On Leverage Ratio \| Minimum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Leverage ratio		1.00%
Unsecured Term Loan Facility \| Base Rate \| Maximum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Leverage ratio		1.00%
Unsecured Term Loan Facility \| Base Rate \| Minimum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Leverage ratio		0.00%