I'll just tell what I do? Mby that might help?
I always start off with designing a skeleton for my path, basically I just lead a simple path to all the locations I want it to go to. It's a simple start and it lets me see where there is space for pwps and stuff. At this point I also plan villager locations. I usually have some sort of an idea for some villager locations, for an example I might want a couple villagers living near each other or forming a small town area, just look at what areas look good for houses. After these steps I usually get in the villagers and then elaborate on the path, decide the width of it and whether it differs somewhere. I also start planning the areas around the paths. Basically just decide what pwps go where, but at this point I also start planting a lot of bushes and trees to support a path. And then eventually my town is done.
Anyway, my tip is to start simple and then elaborate on it later. Also, imo it's important to plant a lot of bushes and trees. They add depth to your town and also support paths nicely.