When creating stylish web applications, leveraging the Django framework can significantly enhance your development process. Django offers a multitude of features that not only streamline web app creation but also ensure that they are visually appealing and user-friendly. Here are 5 essential Django features that stand out:

1. Admin Interface: Django's built-in admin interface allows developers to easily manage site content, making it both powerful and convenient.
2. Template System: The template system in Django encourages a separation of design and logic, allowing for clean and maintainable code.

Continuing with our exploration of 5 essential Django features, the framework also boasts:

3. Robust ORM: Django's Object-Relational Mapping (ORM) simplifies database interactions, enabling developers to manipulate data easily without writing verbose SQL queries.
4. Security Features: Django is designed with security in mind, offering protection against common vulnerabilities, ensuring stylish web apps are also safe.
5. Community Support: With a thriving community and extensive documentation, Django developers can readily find resources and plugins to enhance their projects.

Customizing Django templates is essential for creating a unique look that aligns with your brand identity. Start by defining your CSS styles in a separate stylesheet. You can either link external stylesheets or include internal styles within your template files. To apply your custom styles effectively, utilize Django's template inheritance feature by creating a base.html template that other templates can extend. This approach allows you to maintain a consistent layout across your site while customizing specific sections using {% block %} tags.

Once your stylesheet is in place, focus on enhancing the visual elements of your Django site. Implement custom images and icons using the <img> tag, and consider integrating Bootstrap or other front-end libraries to expedite the design process. To further enhance user experience, utilize {% for %} loops to dynamically display content in your templates. For example, if you're showcasing a list of products, you can customize how each item appears by wrapping it in distinct HTML tags, allowing you to create a visually appealing presentation that stands out.

When styling Django applications, developers often make common mistakes that can detract from the overall user experience. One prevalent error is the improper organization of CSS files. Instead of using modular stylesheets, many developers cram all their styles into a single file, making it unwieldy and difficult to manage. To avoid this, consider implementing a structured approach by creating separate stylesheets for different components and using a preprocessor like SASS or LESS. This not only promotes better organization but also enhances the maintainability of your styling.

Another frequent mistake is neglecting responsive design principles. With the increase in mobile users, it is crucial for Django applications to adapt seamlessly to various screen sizes. Failing to utilize a mobile-first approach or responsive frameworks can lead to poor accessibility and user engagement. To remedy this, ensure that your application employs flexible grid systems and responsive media queries. Additionally, testing your application across different devices can help identify styling issues before they impact your audience.