The present disclosure describes melamine laminate products capable of retaining a wood stain or colorant. The unique melamine formulations and products include porosity-promoting agents that result in the melamine having a porous surface capable of being stained with a wood stain or other colorant, while still having the favorable properties of traditional laminate products. The methods of the invention produce a melamine laminate product that can be stained with a variety of stains and colorants after manufacturing to suit the individual builder's or homeowner's preference. The stainable melamine laminate products may include a decorative paper layer sandwiched between a backing layer and a melamine layer embedded with a porosity agent, such as, silica, wax, mica, calcium carbonate, silane, kaolin clay, crystalline silica, corn starch, feldspar, talc, or combinations thereof. The stainable melamine layer optionally has a textured top surface.