Paint sheen refers to the capacity for paint to reflect light. Sheen can vary from paint to paint, and can even be selected within a paint code. For ceilings, flat, matte, satin or even up to eggshell paints are typical. This allows for a natural flow of light through the room. Generally speaking it can look strange if the ceiling is a high-gloss or even semi-gloss. Glossy finishes tend to reflect more light, which can cause unwanted glare or highlight surface imperfections, particularly around suspended light fixtures like pendant lights. The addition of light reflection can cause some distraction with light dissipation in a room.
There is also not much of a risk of damage to paint on the ceiling, so while higher gloss paints are thought to be more durable (more resin), the extra durability is not really needed.
With some ceilings you could go as far as satin sheen but this is not typical.
In a kitchen or bathroom you may see a satin sheen for instance for more resistance to moisture. The added resin, creating a smoother finish, can help to reduce staining from cooking fumes or other sources such as food splatter or oil splatter. This can allow the paint to be easier to clean. Again though, with higher ceilings these days, this is generally not a concern. But if moisture is of a concern, specific drywall rated for usage in moist environments, such as moisture resistant drywall or even tile backer board is sometimes called for.
To summarize, the best paint sheen for ceilings is typically a flat, matte, or even satin paint sheen level. This will ensure light dissipation in a room is as natural as it can be!
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