Here are some garden design tips that will save you some time;

• Keep all your high-maintenance areas in close proximity to the house. This way you won't have to walk far as they will most probably require daily, or at least very regular, and ongoing upkeep. These areas would be your vegetable and herb gardens, rose gardens and shadehouse or greenhouse areas. Depending on how much composting you do, it may also include this area.
  


• Keep high-maintenance plants together. In other words don't plant exotics in your rock garden. Most of your exotics will require more hands-on upkeep will a rock garden can mainly take care of itself.
  


• Don't make lawns too pokey and small. If you plan to add lawns to your garden design then think through the process of mowing them each week during summer. If they are too small they will become a nightmare to mow and become the bane of frustration for you in the garden.
  


• If you find that your lifestyle will be demanding to spend too much time in your garden then don't try a formal style. Select a style that is more conducive for your routines such as a rambling cottage garden or low-maintenance xeriscape garden.
  


• Install reticulation. Watering with a hose or even having to move a sprinkler every 20 minutes can become a very tiresome chore. This is one choice that ca save a tremendous amount of time for you to concentrate on other aspects of gardening that you love.
  


• Stay away from pots and hanging baskets. Or, at least, buy pots that are self-regulated to water. Container gardening can be quite time consuming so if you want low-maintenance gardens then these probably won't fit the bill.
  



The main point is to ensure that your expectations are realistic. There is no point designing your home garden without your present lifestyle commitments in mind. You will just end up very frustrated.