Might I suggest gating off in room or getting an expen? It broke my heart to keep Hot Rod in a crate and our schedule has always been crazy. With the expen I had his crate, pad, food, water and toys in there. He would come and go into his crate whenever and he was perfectly content.
A lot of people gate their babies in kitchen or bathroom.
It really is totally up to you as to whether you need to gate or crate your little one. It would also depend on if you are having a potty issue. Sometimes too much freedom invites opening yourself up to some of those problems. My 2 are loose on the first level during the day but they go into the pen at night for night, night. Don't ask me whay but they just get really mischevious when we've left them loose during the night. I guess they know that we are home.
Good luck with what you decide.