I placed a simple gray stone path (2 patterns wide) throughout my town leading to all animal houses and most major areas in my town. I personally don't like missing patterns in pathways, so I also try to place all my patters one space in front of villagers' doorways.
I have water paths running around the entire border of my town, grass on the inside with 3 different flower types on them (so 3 different patterns) and then some cobble paths from my second character around certain PWP's, in blank areas and near to buildings. I have them surrounding villager homes and my own. I have all types of patterns around my 2nd character's house.
I use a simple-ish gray stone path throughout my whole town. It takes up 9 spaces, and my 10th space is my town flag. I really want to get red brick paths, though, because I like the brick bridges and want to build them when I have more than 700K in my bank account.
I changed mine to this one yesterday. I'm planning on adding water paths, as soon as Sable lets my other character use the machine. ._. As for the pathing, they lead to the buildings, the beach and to villager's homes.