Room Size - Front Port vs Rear Port Speakers

BTW rear ports will likely work just as well as anything closer to the front wall, but will probably work even better with some distance. All speakers work best when early reflections from walls are under control. But early reflections in the bass region where ports operate are not a concern. Placement close to walls, floors etc. helps to reinforce bass, if needed.

If you choose a rear ported speaker that does not have a substantial bass output, placing them fairly close to the wall behind them can be beneficial in such small rooms. Bass can easily overwhelm a small room when you choose a speaker that has a moderate or strong bass output, and place them close to a rear wall. A rear firing port on such a speaker can compound that problem even more.
I would suggest limiting yourself to speakers that reach down to the mid 40hz area at most, if rear ported. Even speakers that have honest ratings of -3db at 55 hz, when placed close to rear walls can sound quite substantial in bass output in a room that size. I think placing them just a foot out from the rear and side wall may be too close for most ports, and can create problems in a small space. Try about 20" inches out and from the side walls to start with. Corner bass traps may be needed.