i have about 32 inches to work with. i lst mine and fim them. keeps them low with lots of tops, they can get wide though. stay with indicas, Nirvana Super Skunk, Master Kush, also, check out Attitudes Autos, they have some nice ones that get around the right height for u. Russian Rocket, Afghan, AK/Kush. u can order reg. seeds and get seeds from that crop and not have to buy again, u can also cross with other autos.
my space is 6' X 5' i have 2 shelves 30 inches wide, 1 on floor, and 1 30 inches above that shelf. i start them there where its nice and warm with cfl's. i have the front covered with a towel to keep the heat in and the light off my upper veg shelf. then i move them upstairs where i have 1 600watt HPS Agrosun and 1 600 watt MH where i FIM and LST for 3-4wks, they should be from 12" to 18" tall, with lots of tops.
i then move them to my flower box that is sealed off, 3 X 3 with a 400 watt HPS Agrosun where they flower in 8 -12 weeks depending on strain. sorry to rattle, hope it helps??