How to decorate this backyard + how to save the grass!

Hi all,
First time backyard –
Went for all grass initially (Buffalo) – planted in May.

The grass copped a beating early on and is now mud / dirt. Desperately trying to save.

Otherwise have planted the teddy bear magnolias on the right there, and a mandarin, lemon and orange in front of the shed.

Any idea of how to make this place look a little more like earth before the nuclear fallout.