I didn't care much for KDE either. Keep in mind if you get that
itch to try a different version out again, you can also just add an extra
desktop. For example, in synaptic, xubuntu-desktop package will install the
xfce desktop manager and all of the default packages that come with
xubuntu. Plus the stuff you already have installed under gnome will still
be there. On the other hand, the package xfce4 will install just the xfce
desktop / window manager combo for the xfce interface. You then can log out
and switch to a different desktop using the dropdown menu in the bottom
panel of the login screen.

the relevant commands in the terminal:
sudo apt-get install xubuntu-desktop
or
sudo apt-get install xfce4

I've been trying out xfce lately, and was very happy to find that you can
install a plugin that lets you choose from all of the gnome panel applets as
well as their own! With a little work, I've got it feeling mostly like my
good ole gnome.