How to Keep Warm Working From Home Without Heating the Whole House

How to Keep Warm Working From Home Without Heating the Whole House

Working from home sounds cosy, but sitting still for long stretches can leave you feeling cold surprisingly quickly. Over time, I realised that heating the whole house during the day didn’t make much sense for us, especially when I’m the only one at home while everyone else is out. What I really wanted was a way to keep warm working from home without paying to heat empty rooms.

I found it worked better to heat the space I was actually using, add layers to my clothes, and move regularly rather than rely on background heating all day. Short bursts of heat, combined with layered warmth, kept me more comfortable and were far more cost-effective than running low-level heating constantly throughout the house.

In this post, I’m sharing how I stay warm working from home without heating the whole house, from my simple desk heater and clothing choices to the gentle movement that helps on colder afternoons. These are small, practical changes that keep me comfortable, focused and warm during the day without wasting energy or money.

How I Keep My Home Office Warm Without Central Heating

When my home office feels chilly, I use a small under-desk heater rather than turning the heating on for the whole house. Because I’m sitting still for long periods, warming the space around my legs makes a difference almost straight away. Mine is a lightweight thermo fan heater with two settings and it heats the room quickly without needing to be on all day. I usually switch it on for around 30 minutes at a time, then turn it off once the room feels comfortable, which means I’m warm, focused and not constantly thinking about the heating. One thing I really appreciate is the safety feature. If it isn’t on a flat surface, it automatically switches itself off, so I don’t worry about it while I’m working. At the time of writing, it costs around 10p for 30 minutes of use, which feels like a small price to pay for staying comfortable without heating empty rooms.

Shop the heater I use

Image description: The small under-desk heater I use in my home office to keep warm while working from home, without turning on the central heating. The white safety button underneath automatically switches the heater off if it isn’t placed on a flat surface.

Layered Warmth That Actually Works When You’re Sitting All Day

Sitting at a desk all day means comfort really matters, which is why I’ve gradually upgraded to comfy work from home clothes that are soft, stretchy and easy to layer. I’ve also started colour-coordinating what I wear, which sounds small but makes mornings much easier, I don’t have to think about outfits and I still feel put together rather than like I’ve rolled out of bed. Because I work from home, my day can involve client calls, answering the door, popping to the shops or going out for a short walk, so having comfortable work from home clothes that also look presentable works well for me. Underneath, I usually wear thermal vests and leggings for extra warmth, which means I stay cosy even when I’ve been sitting still for a few hours. This small change made a bigger difference than I expected. It showed me that work-from-home clothes can be comfortable and warm, while still looking professional enough for unplanned client calls during the day.

Browse thermal layers I recommend

Image description: A sample of my work from home clothes, chosen for comfort and warmth while still looking professional for unplanned client calls. Everything is stretchy, comfortable and easy to layer underneath during colder days.

Cold Hands When You’re Working From Home

I really feel the cold in my hands, especially when I’m working for long stretches, so I rely on simple layers rather than turning the heating up. I keep several pairs of fingerless gloves for typing, which makes a big difference when I’m working at my desk. I’m forever taking them off to make a cup of tea or move around the house and then leaving them somewhere random, so instead of searching for a missing pair, I just grab another set and carry on working. I usually find the lost ones later and put them back ready for my next work session. I even keep a pair of fingerless gloves in the car, because they’re much easier to drive in than full gloves. If you struggle with cold hands while working from home, fingerless gloves are a simple but effective solution. The style I use (shown below) keeps my hands warm without getting in the way of typing, as only the thumbs are covered and the rest of the fingers are left free. As a touch typist, I find this much more comfortable, as fabric between my fingers quickly becomes distracting.

Shop fingerless gloves for typing

Image description: The fingerless gloves I use when working from home, keeping my hands warm while still allowing me to type comfortably. You’ll need a few pairs because I can almost guarantee you’ll lose one, only to find it the next day.

Keeping Your Legs and Feet Warm While Working From Home

Leg warmers for women are one of those simple layers that make a bigger difference than you’d expect, especially if you feel the cold in your legs when you’re sitting still. I wear mine around the house while I’m working and they also work well under flared trousers in winter if I’m heading out. They’re an easy way to add warmth without piling on bulky clothes and because they’re basically like socks, I keep a few pairs around, they have a habit of going missing just when you need them.

Here’s the leg warmers I recommend

UGG slippers are non-negotiable for me when I’m working from home. I wear mine for most of the year and always use them as indoor slippers rather than outdoor boots. They’ve lasted for years and make a huge difference to how comfortable I feel during the day. If my feet are cold, I really struggle to focus. I love my chunky knit UGG slippers and they’re one of those things I wouldn’t be without when I’m sitting at my desk working. I’ve had mine for years, but I’ve linked to a popular, more affordable UGG style below.

Shop UGG slippers

Image description: My UGG slippers worn at home to keep my feet warm while working.

How I Dry Clothes Indoors Without Putting the Heating On

Living in the UK means damp winters, wet coats and washing that never seems to dry, and because we don’t have the heating on all day, I started looking for a better way to manage it. That’s when I bought a heated clothes airer and it’s been one of the most useful things in our house. I usually run it during the day while I’m working and no one else is home, which means I can dry clothes without turning the heating on just for the sake of laundry. It does gently warm the kitchen, so in spring I’ll often work downstairs at the kitchen table while it’s on, which actually works quite nicely.

For everyday clothes, the heated clothes airer works brilliantly. In the depths of winter it takes around four hours to fully dry a load and towels take a little longer, so I sometimes finish those off on the radiator later in the evening once the heating goes on and everyone’s home. As a mum, I do at least one wash most days, so being able to wash and dry clothes indoors without heating the whole house makes a big difference.

Running it during the day also means I’m using electricity when overall energy use is lower, rather than adding more load in the evening when the TV’s on, laptops are charging and everyone’s at home.

What I like most is how low-effort it is. I can leave it unattended, it switches itself off automatically and I’m no longer draping damp clothes over radiators around the house.

I did buy extra metal clothes hangers so I can fit more clothes on the airer. I use around twenty hangers per wash. Every so often I hoover inside the cover and use an old toothbrush to remove lint from the drying unit to keep it working properly. At the time of writing, it costs around £1.32 for four hours of drying, which feels reasonable for something that helps me dry clothes indoors in winter without relying on the heating. I’ve shared a short YouTube video as well if you want to see how easy it is to use in real life below.

See the heated clothes airer I use

When Staying Warm Isn’t Enough: Why Gentle Movement Matters

Even with layers, heaters and warm clothes, there are days when I still feel cold, especially if I’ve been sitting for a long time. That’s usually my cue that I need to move a bit, rather than add another layer. When you work from home, it’s easy to stay seated for hours and over time your circulation slows down, your feet get cold and you start to feel sluggish. On those days, warmth on its own isn’t always the answer, gentle movement helps far more.

After lunch, if it’s wet or windy outside and I don’t fancy going out for a walk, I’ll often head downstairs and use my walking pad for a short, gentle walk. Even a slow pace helps warm me up, get my blood flowing again and shake off that stiff, cold feeling you get from sitting too long. For me, one of the biggest walking pad benefits is being able to jump on for ten minutes when I feel cold, warm myself up naturally and head back to my desk feeling ready for the afternoon.

Read my blog: Is a Walking Pad Worth It? My Review as a Work From Home Mum

A Simple Work-From-Home Tip

If you’re home during the day, you don’t need to heat the whole house to stay comfortable. I’ve found it works far better to heat one room properly and focus on layered warmth around where you’re actually working. Things like slippers, an under-desk heater and the right work from home clothes make a real difference. You stay warm, comfortable and focused without paying to heat empty rooms.

Final Thoughts

This isn’t about being cold or avoiding heating completely. It’s about keeping warm while working from home without heating the whole house in a way that feels comfortable, practical and sustainable. These small changes help me feel warmer, more settled and able to focus throughout the day and they’ve quietly become part of my normal work-from-home routine.

Disclaimer: This post is based on my personal experience of working from home. I’m not an energy expert or financial adviser, just someone sharing what works for our household. Everyone’s home, budget and comfort levels are different, so take what’s useful and adapt it to suit your own situation. I also have solar panels on my home, so my electricity costs for things like the dryer and under-desk heater may be lower than yours, depending on when they’re used.

FAQs

Q: How can I keep warm working from home without heating the whole house?

I focus on heating the room I’m using, adding warm layers, and moving regularly. Using an under-desk heater, warm clothes, slippers and gentle movement keeps me comfortable without heating empty rooms.

Q: Is an under-desk heater cheaper than central heating?

For me, using a small under-desk heater in short bursts is cheaper than running the heating all day. I usually use it for around 30 minutes at a time to warm the space I’m sitting in.

Q: How do you keep your hands warm while typing?

I use fingerless gloves. They keep my hands warm while leaving my fingers free, which makes typing much more comfortable, especially as a touch typist.

Q: How do you dry clothes indoors without turning the heating on?

I use a heated clothes airer during the day while I’m working. It allows me to dry clothes indoors without putting the heating on just for laundry, which works well in damp winter weather.

Q: Why does movement matter if you already feel cold at your desk?

If I’ve been sitting too long, adding more layers doesn’t always help. Gentle movement, like a short walk on my walking pad, helps improve circulation and warms me up more effectively than staying still.

Now read: My Work From Home Desk Setup: The Essentials I Use Every Day

And read: 11 Daily Habits to Improve Life and Feel Better Working from Home