Leaving puppy out of crate when not home

[Michelle and Chloe]

How do you know when a puppy is ready to be left out of the crate when you leave the house?  I have a 10 month old doodle, Chloe who at this time stays in a crate when I leave the house.  I would love her to eventually have more freedom in the house but am not sure when a good time would be to do this.  Should I wait until she is older?

[Hunter and Daisy's Doodle Mom]

We went in short baby steps. First, it was the individual crates, then they both got confined to the kitchen, which isn't huge by any means, then we moved them to a bit larger area that included the bathroom, small hallway and our bedroom. It took a little over a year and now they get the whole area except we put a gate at the stairs so they don't go down there are eat another one of my shoes, and we keep the bedroom doors closed now. In my experience, they're still puppies and if they want to get into something, they will...a couple of discussions I've posted regarding a 1/2 eaten shoe a few months ago and a recent emergency trip to the vet to have a piece of metal from a hair clip that Daisy ate surgically removed, will paint that picture. Give a little at a time and gradually increase the length of time you're gone. Good luck and hope she does well :-)