I found the KDE panel too boring, and created a lot of new KDE start menu buttons for kbfx, which is an improved KDE menu. Created some better panel backgrounds to use with the new buttons.

The kbfx menus are for the large (5 panel size.

To use:
-Install kbfx, and add to the panel (get it from the kde-apps.org)
-Drag and drop the kbfx image You like to the kbfx button.
-Set the panel background to one in the pack.