A wool lap blanket, a desk-to-sofa throw, or an open-front cape can make a useful gift for someone who works from home. Choose around their routine: warmth across the knees for seated work, a wearable layer for video calls, or a throw that comes along when the laptop closes.
A good work-from-home gift fits the way someone spends their day. A better mouse may help with a familiar task; a plant can brighten a desk. For someone who often feels cold while working, a warm layer offers another kind of everyday comfort — especially when the office is also a spare bedroom, a kitchen corner, or the end of a dining table.
This guide looks at the practical details behind that choice: daytime heating, video calls, room to type, and the move from desk to sofa. Below are six Murmurs pieces, compared by use, material, size, and price.
Key Takeaways
- Choose the shape around their working routine. A compact lap blanket suits seated work; a cape adds coverage around the shoulders; a sleeveless vest leaves the forearms free.
- For desk and sofa, choose a full-size throw. A 47 × 59 in / 120 × 150 cm throw offers more coverage than a lap blanket and can be used in both places.
- For video calls, consider a wearable layer. An open-front cape or vest pairs with everyday clothing and can remain part of the outfit between calls.
- A personal layer adds warmth without changing the thermostat. Heating costs vary by home and usage; a blanket or cape offers a way to adjust individual comfort.
- One size simplifies gifting, but dimensions still matter. Use the measurements below to assess coverage, length, and the amount of fabric the recipient will want around their chair.
- Six Murmurs starting points: the Hush Petit Office Lap Blanket ($120) for the lap and knees; the Hush Desk & Sofa Throw Blanket ($170) for use in both spaces; the Lilt Desk & Sofa Throw Blanket ($200) for a softer feel; the Ember Wearable Blanket Cape ($240) for shoulder coverage; the Drape Open-Front Layering Vest ($290) for warmth with free arms; the Gather Laptop Tote Bag ($89) for café days.
What Working From Home Actually Asks of a Person
Three in four U.S. workers whose jobs could be done from home were working at least some of the time remotely, according to a Pew Research Center survey of 2,315 workers conducted in October 2024. Nearly half said they would be unlikely to stay in their job if that arrangement ended. For many people, working from home is an established routine — one that asks a room to accommodate focused work, calls, and the rest of daily life.
The room was not built for sitting still
A room that feels comfortable while making breakfast can feel cooler after an hour at the keyboard. Long stretches of seated work leave less opportunity to move around, particularly at a desk near a window or in a shared living space. A lap blanket or wearable layer keeps extra warmth within reach.
The thermostat is now their bill
Working from home can mean heating the house for more hours during the day. In an analysis of roughly 65,000 UK homes during the winter of 2020–21, tado° found that daytime heating ran 14% more than in the previous winter, when many people were spending more time at home.
The U.S. Department of Energy's guidance suggests starting around 68–70°F when home and awake. It also notes that lowering the thermostat by 7–10°F for eight hours a day can save as much as 10% annually. Those savings relate to thermostat settings and heating conditions; a warm layer offers personal comfort but does not guarantee a lower bill.
The camera sees the top half
For someone with regular video calls, shoulder coverage and neckline can matter as much as warmth. An open-front cape layers over a shirt or knit, while a lap blanket stays below the camera frame. The better choice depends on where the person feels cold and what they prefer to wear during the working day.
Nothing separates work from the evening
When the desk and sofa share a room, the same throw can serve both. A compact lap blanket is easy to arrange around a chair; a larger throw offers more coverage for resting in the evening. If you are choosing one piece for both uses, the larger size is worth considering.
How to Choose a Work-From-Home Gift
Choose by where they want warmth, how often they move, and whether the piece will also be used away from the desk.
| How they work | What suits them | Murmurs piece | Retail (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seated most of the day, with legs that get cold | A compact wool blanket for the lap and knees | Hush Petit Office Lap Blanket — 100% wool, 30 × 40 in / 76 × 101 cm | $120 |
| Desk by day, sofa by evening | A full-size wool throw with coverage for both uses | Hush Desk & Sofa Throw Blanket — 100% wool, 47 × 59 in / 120 × 150 cm | $170 |
| The same routine, with a preference for softness | A lambswool-cashmere throw for the lap or shoulders | Lilt Desk & Sofa Throw Blanket — 90% lambswool, 10% cashmere, 47 × 59 in / 120 × 150 cm | $200 |
| Regular video calls and a preference for shoulder coverage | An open-front cape to layer over everyday clothing | Ember Wearable Blanket Cape — 90% wool, 10% cashmere, 44 × 45.7 in / 112 × 116 cm | $240 |
| Typing throughout the day, with a preference for free arms | A sleeveless vest that adds warmth around the torso | Drape Open-Front Layering Vest — 95% wool, 5% camel hair, 29.5 in / 75 cm front, 32.3 in / 82 cm back | $290 |
| Dividing the week between home and a café | A tote with room for a laptop and a folded layer | Gather Laptop Tote Bag — 100% cotton denim, 17.7 × 11 in / 45 × 28 cm | $89 |
All six come in one size. For the cape and vest, check the dimensions against the recipient's preferred length and coverage. Our Home Office Blankets collection brings together warm layers for time at a desk and around the home.
For a seated day: Hush Petit Office Lap Blanket
The Hush Petit Office Lap Blanket is the compact option for someone who wants warmth across the lap and knees. Made from 100% wool, it measures 30 × 40 in / 76 × 101 cm, leaving less fabric to arrange around a chair than a full-size throw. It folds away easily when the desk is needed for something else. Dry clean only. For more on choosing coverage for seated work, The Best Blanket for a Cold Office compares a lap blanket with a larger throw.
For desk and sofa: Hush Desk & Sofa Throw Blanket and Lilt Desk & Sofa Throw Blanket
The Hush Desk & Sofa Throw Blanket suits someone who wants a single throw for both work and evening use. It is 100% wool and measures 47 × 59 in / 120 × 150 cm, with more coverage than the Hush Petit. Its double-faced weave looks finished on either side, whether folded across the lap or over the back of a sofa. At a desk, fold the extra fabric clear of the floor and chair wheels. Dry clean only.
The Lilt Desk & Sofa Throw Blanket offers the same dimensions in 90% lambswool and 10% cashmere. Choose it for someone who prefers a softer feel, particularly when wrapping a throw around the shoulders over a light top. Dry cleaning is recommended; store it folded rather than hung. For a closer look at the fibers, read Lambswool vs. Cashmere. For more on size and everyday use, see How to Choose a Wool Throw Blanket.
For someone on camera: Ember Wearable Blanket Cape
The Ember Wearable Blanket Cape is a wearable option for someone who wants warmth around the shoulders during calls. Made from 90% wool and 10% cashmere, it has a soft V-neckline, an open front, and no closures. It measures 44 × 45.7 in / 112 × 116 cm laid flat; the length and drape will vary with the wearer. Its simple shape pairs with a shirt or knit and is easy to take off as the room warms up. Dry cleaning is recommended; store it folded or gently rolled. Hot One Minute, Freezing the Next explores choosing adjustable layers for a changing temperature.
For someone who types all day: Drape Open-Front Layering Vest
The Drape Open-Front Layering Vest adds warmth around the torso while leaving the forearms free. It is made from 95% wool and 5% camel hair, with a sleeveless, open-front shape, a boxy cut, and a dropped shoulder. The front measures 29.5 in / 75 cm and the back 32.3 in / 82 cm. For someone who prefers less fabric near the keyboard, it offers a practical alternative to a shoulder wrap. Dry cleaning is recommended; fold to store. For more on comfort during seated work, see Cold Hands While Typing? Warm Your Core First.
For the café days: Gather Laptop Tote Bag
The Gather Laptop Tote Bag suits someone whose working week includes a café or shared workspace. Made from 100% cotton denim, it measures 17.7 × 11 in / 45 × 28 cm and has one open compartment with a magnetic snap. It has room for a 15-inch laptop laid flat, a notebook, and a folded layer such as the Ember Wearable Blanket Cape. Check the laptop's dimensions if choosing it as a gift. Spot clean or hand wash cold; some indigo transfer is expected when new.
Gifts That Tend to Go Unused
- A heated blanket for someone who moves often. It may suit long seated stretches, but access to an outlet and the reach of the cord can make it less convenient for someone who regularly changes rooms.
- Another desk object when space is limited. A mug, plant, or organizer is most useful when it fills a need. In a shared room, consider what already has a place. How to Make Your Home Office Feel Cozy Without Adding Clutter looks at comfort in a smaller workspace.
- A novelty wearable blanket for someone with frequent calls. Consider whether its shape and style match what the recipient likes to wear on camera. A simple cape or vest may fit more easily into their working wardrobe.
- A sweater in a size when the fit is uncertain. A throw avoids clothing measurements altogether. An open-front layer offers flexibility, though its length and coverage are still worth checking.
- A throw with more fabric than the chair needs. A generous throw can be comfortable on a sofa but requires folding at a desk. For a compact chair, a 30 × 40 in lap blanket may be easier to arrange. How to Keep a Blanket at Your Desk Without It Sliding Off covers placement and everyday use.
Care and Shipping
Follow the care label on each piece. The Hush Petit Office Lap Blanket and Hush Desk & Sofa Throw Blanket are dry clean only. Dry cleaning is recommended for the Lilt Desk & Sofa Throw Blanket, Ember Wearable Blanket Cape, and Drape Open-Front Layering Vest; store these folded rather than hung. The Gather Laptop Tote Bag can be spot-cleaned or hand-washed cold. Between cleanings, airing can help keep wool pieces fresh. Our Care Guide covers spills, pilling, and storage.
Standard U.S. shipping is free. We ship worldwide with duties included.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a good gift for someone who works from home?
A wool lap blanket, a full-size throw, or an open-front cape can be a useful gift for someone who feels cold while working. Choose a lap blanket for seated work, a throw for both desk and sofa, or a cape for warmth around the shoulders. Murmurs options include the Hush Petit Office Lap Blanket ($120), Hush Desk & Sofa Throw Blanket ($170), and Ember Wearable Blanket Cape ($240).
What should I get a remote worker who is always cold?
Choose around where they want warmth and how they work. A compact lap blanket covers the lap and knees while seated. An open-front cape adds shoulder coverage and layers over clothing for video calls. A sleeveless vest adds warmth around the torso while leaving the forearms free for typing.
Is a blanket a good gift for someone who works from home?
Yes, when its size suits the chair and the way it will be used. A 30 × 40 in / 76 × 101 cm lap blanket is a compact choice for a desk. A 47 × 59 in / 120 × 150 cm throw, such as the Hush Desk & Sofa Throw Blanket, offers more coverage and can also be used on the sofa. Keep any extra fabric clear of chair wheels.
What can a remote worker wear on video calls to stay warm?
An open-front cape or a sleeveless vest can add warmth while pairing with everyday work clothes. The Ember Wearable Blanket Cape is 90% wool and 10% cashmere, with a soft V-neckline and shoulder coverage. The Drape Open-Front Layering Vest is 95% wool and 5% camel hair, with a sleeveless shape that leaves the forearms free. Both come in one size; check the dimensions for the preferred drape.
Does working from home increase heating costs?
It can if heating runs for more hours during the day. During the winter of 2020–21, tado° recorded 14% more daytime heating use than in the previous winter across roughly 65,000 UK homes. This measured heating use, rather than a universal increase in bills. Actual costs depend on weather, energy prices, insulation, the heating system, and thermostat settings. A personal layer can add warmth without changing the room temperature.
Are Murmurs work-from-home gifts one size?
Yes. Each piece comes in one size. The full-size throws measure 47 × 59 in / 120 × 150 cm; the Hush Petit Office Lap Blanket measures 30 × 40 in / 76 × 101 cm; the Ember Wearable Blanket Cape measures 44 × 45.7 in / 112 × 116 cm laid flat; and the Drape Open-Front Layering Vest measures 29.5 in / 75 cm at the front and 32.3 in / 82 cm at the back. One size simplifies choosing, while the measurements help you judge coverage and length.
A Gift for the Room That Became an Office
A home workspace often shares its room with the rest of life: meals, quiet evenings, a favorite chair. The right gift fits into that space and the person's routine. A compact blanket for the knees, a layer for the shoulders, or a throw carried to the sofa can bring warmth to a part of the day you already know well.
Where to Start
- Home Office Blankets — compare warm layers for time at the desk and around the home.
- Hush Petit Office Lap Blanket — 100% wool, 30 × 40 in / 76 × 101 cm, $120. Compact coverage for the lap and knees.
- Hush Desk & Sofa Throw Blanket — 100% wool, 47 × 59 in / 120 × 150 cm, $170. A full-size throw for desk and sofa.
- Ember Wearable Blanket Cape — 90% wool, 10% cashmere, 44 × 45.7 in / 112 × 116 cm, $240. An open-front layer for shoulder coverage.
- Drape Open-Front Layering Vest — 95% wool, 5% camel hair, $290. Warmth around the torso, with the forearms free.
- One-Size Wool & Cashmere Gifts — explore scarves, blankets, and capes in one size.
- Gifts for Someone Who's Always Cold — choose around where they feel the cold: a desk, a plane, or a room with a shared thermostat.
- How to Choose a Cashmere or Wool Gift When You Don't Know Their Size — more help choosing coverage, shape, and material.
- How to Make Your Home Office Feel Cozy Without Adding Clutter — consider the room itself: light, space, and a place for the blanket.
- Corporate Holiday Gifts That Aren't Swag — a guide to choosing and ordering gifts for a remote team.
