Yes some people like to have plenty of fabric, others less so. I don't think either approach is right or wrong - just different, but it does impact what each person needs to find storage space for.
I love physical fabric and find it very inspirational. I'm much more likely to work from the fabric than from an external concept. I also repurpose old curtains and duvet covers into other things, and use up scraps in things.
Where I had to store fabric in the loft I kept swatches in a folder, but I dont do that anymore!