Once upon a time, I very carefully folded most of my fabrics "just so" - and packed them on the shelves to the maximum.
My folded fabrics looked very lovely - until I wanted/needed something that was stacked there.
I have learned that it is helpful to me to have a bare/empty spot to pile things on while I'm looking through the stacks. (Other than the floor!)
When I had everything packed like an overstuffed suitcase, the crowdedness made looking for and extracting pieces of fabric to be hazardous.
I don't have a perfect solution. I know - usually - what neighborhood to look in for items - but sometimes the looked for item just does not want to be found when I'm searching for it.
The main idea of this post - leave a little wiggle room - if possible. It is then easier to find things again later.
The up side of having to excavate to find something - it's exercise!