How warm your home office should be, eight ways to stay warm without heating the whole house, and what's changed with home-working tax relief this year.
Working from home in winter has two problems: a cold room and a long, dark day at the same desk. The official guidance on the first one is simple. GOV.UK and the Met Office both advise heating the rooms you spend most time in to at least 18°C. The second one takes a few habits.
What temperature should my home office be?
At least 18°C. That's the figure in the government's winter guidance and the Met Office's advice for homes. If you're at a desk all day, the room you work in is the one that counts.
How can I stay warm without heating the whole house?
- Heat the room you work in. Close the door and keep the heat where you are.
- Close curtains and blinds once it's dark to keep the warmth in.
- Block draughts. A draught excluder at the door and a check of the window seals make a noticeable difference.
- Dress in layers. Thin layers you can take off beat one thick jumper.
- Keep your feet warm. Slippers or thick socks, and a rug if your desk sits on a hard floor.
- Get up every hour. A few minutes of moving warms you up and breaks up a long stretch at the desk.
- Eat a warm lunch. Soup or leftovers rather than a cold sandwich at the keyboard.
- Keep a warm drink on the go. A hot mug warms your hands as well as you.
How do I stay focused on dark winter days?
- Sit near the window. Make the most of the daylight there is.
- Start at the same time each day. Working from home makes it easy to drift, and dark mornings make it easier.
- Get outside once a day. A walk at lunchtime is often the brightest part of a winter day.
- Watch the coffee count. In a cold house it's easy to make a hot drink every hour. If they're all coffee, the caffeine adds up quickly. Mix in drinks with less caffeine, or none.
Can I still claim tax relief for working from home?
Not for this tax year. GOV.UK says that from 6 April 2026 to 5 April 2027, you will not be able to claim tax relief for working from home.
You can still claim for the four previous tax years, but only if you had to work from home, for example because your employer doesn't have an office. Choosing to work from home, or having a contract that lets you, doesn't count. The GOV.UK page has the full rules and the claim service.
What should I drink when I'm working from home?
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FAQs
What is the minimum temperature for working from home?
There's no legal minimum for a home office, but GOV.UK and the Met Office advise heating the rooms you use to at least 18°C.
Is it cheaper to heat one room?
Heating only the room you're in, with the door closed, means you're heating less space. How much you save depends on your heating system and home.
Can I claim tax relief for working from home in 2026?
Not for the 2026 to 2027 tax year. You can still claim for the four previous tax years if you had to work from home, according to GOV.UK.
How do I stop my hands getting cold at my desk?
Keep your core warm with layers, move every hour, and keep a warm drink nearby. Fingerless gloves help if you type a lot.
TL;DR
Heat the room you work in to at least 18°C, keep the heat in with closed doors, curtains and draught excluders, dress in layers, and move every hour. Home-working tax relief can't be claimed for the 2026 to 2027 tax year, but earlier years can be if you had to work from home.
Sources: GOV.UK, Keeping warm and well; Met Office; GOV.UK, Tax relief for working from home (checked 27 October 2026).
