Abstract Magnetic refrigeration is becoming increasingly relevant as a means to achieve sustainability in refrigeration, thanks to its durability, efficiency, and low environmental impact. This paper regards the design of a new rotary magnetic refrigerator feasible for domestic use at room temperature. An interdisciplinary approach was necessary to perform the design, construction, and optimization of the device through mechanical design, thermo-hydraulic design, and integration into a proper test rig. Optimization of critical parts, such as the regenerator, the magnet structure, and the external heat exchangers, was performed using numerical models. The optimal values of control parameters were determined using a parametric sweep study. The results of all these steps of the study resulted in significant progress in designing and constructing an efficient rotary magnetic refrigerator. This work presents the insights obtained from the project implementation, including the design and construction aspects, presented in a practical way that can guide future projects in the field of magnetic refrigeration. Graphical abstract