A vehicle illumination apparatus is disclosed. The illumination apparatus comprises a photoluminescent part on an inner surface of a vehicle compartment cover. The illumination apparatus further comprises a light source near the cover. The light source is configured to emit a first wavelength of light towards the photoluminescent part. The photluminescent part is configured to convert the first wavelength to at least a second wavelength longer than the first wavelength, thereby illuminating the cargo area.