Are paint swatches accurate?

In a word: Yes. But they’re usually so small it’s impossible to decide based on them. Ask for larger swatches from your color consultant. I use mostly Benjamin Moore and Sherwin Williams paints. Samples come in 8-by-8-inch squares (BM) and 8- by-11-inch squares (SW). Put them vertically on the wall near something that is staying in the room. Look at the sample’s day and night. Lights on and off! Give yourself at least 24 hours to decide. Pay closer attention to the depth of color (or how saturated the paint is) consider the undertones that will show over the 24-hour period. Choose what you like not what you’re told to like.